- Catechism of the Catholic Church
Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand has told a Department of Labour review of Easter Trading and Holidays Legislation that Easter must be maintained as one of the very few remaining communal moments of rest in our society. Caritas Director Michael Smith said that while Easter is one of the most sacred days of the year for Christians, it is also one of the few remaining collective days off for most New Zealanders.
He said that any balance between retail activity and rest was lost when the retail industry gained Sunday trading in 1990 – adding 51 shopping days annually. “With only three and a half restricted trading days remaining, we believe balance can only be achieved by strengthening restrictions, rather than removing them.”
Caritas outlined in its submission a summary of Catholic social teaching on the right to rest. “The government and the Department of Labour need to understand how deeply grounded and deeply felt are Catholic Church positions and statements on Easter Sunday trading,” said Mr Smith.
Catholic authorities from Pope Leo XIII in Rerum Novarum to Pope John Paul II in Centesimus Annus have emphasised the right to rest and to religious observance as a workers’ right rather than an individual preoccupation. Additionally the Catechism of the Catholic Church tells Catholics that the Sabbath is a “day of protest against the servitude of work and the worship of money” and urges Christians to seek the recognition of Sundays and the Church’s holy days as legal holidays.
Of the options being considered in the review, Mr Smith said Caritas would like to see Easter Sunday given the status of a public holiday (subject to “mondayisation” arrangements, whereby workers would be entitled to either Easter Sunday or Monday off as a public holiday, but not both).
“However, we do not accept further liberalisation of trading hours as the price for that,” said Mr Smith. “We believe that would result in fewer workers having the day off.”
Caritas also told the review that greater employee protection for workers who refuse to work on Easter Sunday or other restricted days was needed even under the legal status quo, given the number of retail exemptions that currently exist. Caritas also supported greater protection for shop leaseholders, a clarification of the responsibilities of Labour Inspectors, and an increase in penalties for those who disregard current restrictions.
For more information contact Martin de Jong, Communications and International Advocacy Coordinator, on 04-496 1742 or 021-909 688.