Controversial law to keep shops open Sundays passes in Paris

France’s economy minister Emmanuel Macron’s push to allow shops to stay open on Sundays – otherwise legally closed in the traditionally Catholic country – has passed for certain touristic areas.

Wikimedia commons / Benh LIEU SONG

France's thirty-six year old finance minister is hoping to steer the country’ socialist government towards more business-friendly practices.

This push to keep shops open on Sunday is part of a larger package of reforms which aim to help France’s flagging economy, with its high unemployment and near-zero growth rates.

Macron also hopes to deregulate certain professions with his package of economic reforms… though these proposals have not been widely accepted in France, sparking large protests in 2014.

The proposals are seen as an affront to certain social measures put in place to protect workers rights, such as the 35 hour work week.

The newly passed proposal to introduce these "international tourist zones", which will cover shopping districts in Paris and a few other major cities, will also allow shops to stay open every night until midnight.

According to the law, staff may receive extra benefits for working the new hours.