A day to protect

On the afternoon of Sunday March 24, 2010 the first European conference on “Protection of work-free Sunday” took place in Brussels. 72 European organizations, that include civil society organisations, trade unions and Churches support the conference promoted by German MEP Thomas Mann (EPP/CDU), vice-president of the Parliamentary Commission for External Affairs. The initiative also enjoys the support of numerous MEPs from all political groups.Workers’ health. “Work-free Sunday protection is of great importance for the health of workers, for the reconciliation of work and family life and for the life of civil society as a whole”, stated MEP Thomas Mann in his opening remarks before some 350 people, after having presented the appeal to the Heads of State or Government. “Today’s conference and the appeal signed by all parties involved in the event represent the cornerstone of a European Alliance for work-free Sunday”. In the morning the European Commission reopened consultations for workers’ and employers’ representatives, called to examine options regarding EU working-time regulations within the next six weeks, in view of the review of the 2003 directive. Speaking at the conference on Work-Free Sunday, László Andor, EU Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion said: “As relates to the period of rest envisaged in the regulation, the day of rest is decided at national level, according to the principle of subsidiarity. Sunday is protected in 16 countries”. The Commissioner urged participants to submit proposals for the protection of work-free Sunday to the Commission. Ensuring the respect of rights. “There must be a common day of rest for the adjustment of social behaviours”, said Friedhelm Nachreiner (Germany, professor of applied psychology). “Studies conducted in 2000 and in 2005 have shown that if Sunday is a working day the risk of accidents during working hours increases by as much as 30%, while health is also affected (insomnia, heart problems). Although the causes of this correlation have not yet been clarified, the fact remains. Conversely, pointed out Ulrich Dalibor (European Trade Unions Federation – Uni Europa), “The stores’ extended opening-hours of stores didn’t produce higher profits for the workers, while it stripped them of their free-time”. Austrian bishop Ludwig Schwarz (Linz) made a heartfelt appeal: “Let us not devote all of our time to consumption and shopping. Protecting Sunday also means guaranteeing the respect of human rights and the respect of the spiritual and religious dimension of the human person”. The bishop emphasized the “third commandment”, “not only a religious, but also a social rule”. Alliances for free Sunday. “Work-free Sunday Alliances”, have been set up by citizens in many Countries – Austria, Germany, Great Britain, Slovakia – aimed at countering Sunday-threatening regulations and economic lobbies. Michael Trend, from the United Kingdom, spoke about the experience of the campaign ‘Keep Sunday Special’, established in 1986. A 1994 regulation provides for 6 hour-opening of shops on Sundays. A petition is underway to prevent further extension. “Our campaign is based on 5 pillars”, Trend said: “Protecting relations (my freedom to buy cannot violate your freedom); defending local business; respecting believers; defending the community from fragmentation; resting”. Appreciating immaterial goods. Portuguese MEP Ilda Figueiredo (European United Left-Nordic Green Left group) said, “Europe functions when the family is well. And families are well when they can spend time together. Protecting Sunday means giving parents the opportunity of being with their children”. Dutch MEP Peter Van Dalen (European Conservatives and Reformists, vice-president of the Transport and tourism Commission) pointed to the need of “joining forces”, as relates to other directives developed at EU level, as the directive which bans heavy traffic on Sundays. A Slovakian representative shared his personal experience: “When, after 1989 Western businesses arrived and started to exploit local workers, festive Sunday ceased to exist for us”. He called for the urgent establishment of a European coordinating committee of all national initiatives for the protection of work-free Sunday and a concrete lobbying program. “We ought to invert the ‘materialization’ process of individuals and change the foundations of our society which repose on indefinite material growth”, pointed out MEP Vittorio Prodi, in the closing panel, preceded by a hot debate. “We ought to start appreciating immaterial goods: relations, knowledge… and recover a quality vision for the sustainability of life”.