European Sunday Alliance - European Day for a Work Free Sunday

European Day for a Work Free Sunday

Today, 3 March - the European Day for a Work Free Sunday - the European Sunday Alliance reminds everyone of the right to a work free Sunday. Our colleagues at the Austrian Sunday Alliance highlight in a statement that the work free Sunday is time not dedicated to a specific purpose, especially not an economic one. The common day of rest is a symbol the richness of a society, the prosperity of free time.

Together with our members and supporters, the European Sunday Alliance is campaigning for the work free Sunday and decent working hours in Europe toward the EU institutions. We keep going on!

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The protection of the work free Sunday is a protection of liberty

Time-conference takes place in Berlin

On Wednesday, 17 February, the German Sunday Alliance hold its 6^th so-called Time-conference in Berlin. The conference highlighted the right of a work-free Sunday for employees of call centres. The former president of the Federal Constitutional Court, Prof. Dr Hans-Jürgen Papier, explained that the protection of the work free Sunday is a protection of liberty.

For the press release, please click here >> (PDF, German)

Time-conference to take place in Berlin

On Wednesday, 17 February 2016, the German National Sunday Alliance will hold its 6^th national “Time-conference” in Berlin. It is an invitation for presentation and exchange of best practices in advocating for a work-free Sunday. The conference will also provide opportunity for discussion with politicians from the German Bundestag about the state of play of the work-free Sunday in Germany.

For more information please click here (PDF).

Sunday: The day of the Lord

German diocese develops curriculum

The Roman Catholic diocese of Mainz, Germany, has published a guide and material on the Sunday for religious teaching at school: “Sunday – The day of the Lord – The day for the people”. It gives historical and theological information about the Sunday and presents models for the religious teaching at school.

Please click here to access the PDF version in German.

Finland: shop opening hours liberalized

In a bid to boost the economy, Finland's government has just fully liberalized shop trading hours that took effect from the start of 2016. Unions in the retail sector are however wary of a potential negative effect on job stability and are looking for a debate on how the country is moving towards an 'open 24/7' society.

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Long working days for doctors: Greece infringes on EU law

The Court of Justice of the European Union has ruled that Greece is in violation of EU law by allowing medical doctors to work too long without adequate rest. Greece failed to implement a maximum weekly working time of 48 hours and to make provisions for daily or compensatory rest periods.

To find out more about this decision, please click here >>

EP Interest Group on Work-Life Balance Meets:

Healthy work places in Europe, keys to preventing psychosocial risks

PRESS 11/12/2015

Tackling the rise in psychosocial diseases by ensuring a fair work-life balance, proper rest and a common work-free day must be a key element of the EU Strategic Framework on health and safety. That was the theme for the third meeting of European Sunday Alliance Interest Group on Work-Life balance that took place on 10 December under the patronage of Ms Evelyn Regner MEP (S&D) and Mr Thomas Mann MEP (EPP).

The theme was prompted by a 2015 European Parliament report indicating that work-related stress and psychosocial risks are responsible for almost half the number of working days lost each year. The report notes a proposal from the European Commission for an “EU Strategic Framework on Health and Safety at Work”. Host MEPs also named the intrusion of smart phones and social media, and ‘around-the-clock’ availability as growing problems for workers in Europe.

Please click here for more >>