Gonçalo Lobo Xavier, General Director of the Portuguese Association of Distribution Companies (APED), expressed concerns that closing establishments on Sundays restricts customers’ “freedom,” particularly those who use weekends for shopping. He also noted that many employees prefer working during these periods.
“Portuguese people use weekends for activities at these commercial spaces, such as culture, leisure, or shopping,” said Gonçalo Lobo Xavier in an interview with TVI, emphasizing “freedom of choice.”
The APED director pointed out that “Friday, Saturday, and Sunday are the busiest days, as people use Sundays to do what they can’t during the week because of work.”
Lobo Xavier also refuted claims regarding weekend work, explaining, “We manage our weekend shifts in such a way that, firstly, not everyone works every weekend — that’s not true. There is adequate planning according to availability, and employees are paid double for that period.”
“Today, many people choose to work on weekends or part-time for personal reasons,” he told the same news channel.
Closing establishments on Sundays could lead to the “loss of 16,000 jobs,” estimates the APED director.
Over one hundred retail workers gathered outside the Assembly of the Republic on Thursday to advocate for closing commercial outlets on Sundays and holidays and to reduce operating hours to 10:00 PM.
A citizen-led legislative proposal calls for closing commercial establishments on Sundays and holidays and limiting operating hours to 10:00 PM. These changes have been rejected by the Assembly of the Republic, but the issue remains of significant interest.
The vigil, organized by the Commerce, Office and Services Workers’ Union of Portugal (CESP), coincides with a parliamentary debate on the citizen-proposed legislation demanding Sunday and holiday closures and a 10:00 PM operation limit.
In comments to Lusa, General Secretary of CGTP, Tiago Oliveira, criticized the government’s program for containing “more measures attacking workers’ rights, further penalties for workers, and more advantages for big companies and economic groups.”
The union leader called for a “policy shift,” stating the current government will not enact such changes.
Oliveira argued that the government’s program fosters “greater precariousness, continued low wages, and policies favoring big capital,” vowing that CGTP will “combat the expectations and demands of workers.”
Oliveira highlighted that since 2010, the number of large retail centers has grown, yet the worker count has decreased.
“No capitalist, no company cares about having a workforce larger than necessary for its function,” he added.
When asked about the possibility of extending closures to Saturdays if Sunday closures take effect, Oliveira redirected to the core demand: closing commercial outlets on Sundays and holidays with a maximum operating time of 10:00 PM.
PCP Secretary-General Paulo Raimundo, also at the gathering, commented, “This demand is fair, and that’s what matters,” in a statement to Lusa.
Raimundo acknowledged essential services, such as medical care, cannot cease on weekends but asserted that this is unjustified for retail stores.
He argued that nearly two million workers in Portugal work on Saturdays and Sundays and deserve better working conditions, stability over precarity, and personal time.
“The country once functioned with closed retail spaces on weekends, then on Sundays, and later with limited Sunday hours. It’s time to return to those practices,” he said.
“We propose large retailers operate 72 hours weekly, spreading this model and allowing operations from Monday to Saturday,” Raimundo added.
