April 5 2006
Department of Labour to visit retailers over Easter 07

Department of Labour inspectors will be visiting retailers around New Zealand on Good Friday and Easter Sunday this year, Deputy Secretary for Workplace Andrew Annakin said.

“As the agency responsible for administering the Shop Trading Hours Act Repeal Act 1990, the Department visits retailers on Christmas Day, Easter Friday, Easter Sunday and until 1pm on Anzac Day to ensure they are complying with the law.

“The Department’s priority is ensuring retailers are well informed of the legislation. However, the Act has been law since 1990 – it’s not new legislation - and if a business remains open when it’s not exempt further steps will be taken,” he said.

The Act allows certain types of shop to remain open on restricted days. These are shops whose main purpose is to provide essential supplies in quantities which people in the area or travelling through may need, shops providing food ready to eat, souvenir and duty free shops, pharmacies, and shops in premises where there are bona fide shows or exhibitions.

Shops in locations covered by area exemptions issued by the former Shop Trading Hours Commission, under the previous law, may also trade on restricted days.
Generally, these area exemptions apply to tourist resorts such as Queenstown and central Taupo. These shops may still open on all or any of the restricted days, but only if their exemption order allows them to open.

“If a business does not clearly fit into one of the exempted categories, it is an offence to open and trade during any time the law restricts trading, and the owner or occupier of the shop may be prosecuted and fined up to $1000," Mr Annakin said.

"The ultimate decision of whether a retailer is breaching shop trading legislation lies with the Courts."

Over 70 retailers were prosecuted as a result of Department of Labour visits to retailers on Good Friday and Easter Sunday 2006.

Retailers can check their eligibility to open by visiting the Department’s website: http://www.ers.govt.nz/audienceinfo/shop_print.html

ENDS

© Scoop Media