Montenegro trade chamber urges tighter Sunday‑retail rules as Bosnia unions demand non‑working day

Sunday retail legal exemptions Montenegro Chamber of Commerce Republic of Srpska union non‑working Sunday

In Montenegro, the Chamber of Commerce and its trade association warned that some retailers bypass Sunday‑work restrictions by re‑registering as specialised shops or kiosks. Market inspector Marina Radulović said inspectors repeatedly encounter such attempts and that current penalties are insufficient. Chamber president Nina Drakić called for clearer definitions of legal exemptions, higher punishments for repeat offenders and better inter‑institutional coordination, and said the chamber will submit legislative proposals to tighten the regulatory framework.

In the Republic of Srpska (Bosnia and Herzegovina), the Union of Trade Unions is lobbying for a non‑working Sunday for retail, citing an analysis prepared with EU support that shows the measure would not cause major economic disruption and that there is no evidence of increased retail traffic in the Republic of Srpska after the policy was introduced in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The union also seeks higher Sunday pay and exemptions for pregnant women and mothers with children under seven.

The Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina introduced a non‑working Sunday rule for retail two years ago, but its application varies across cantons and sectors, prompting debate over fairness and possible flexible models.

Entities

Danko Ružičić · Marina Radulović · Montenegro Chamber of Commerce · Nina Drakić · Privredna komora Crne Gore · Republic of Srpska Union of Trade Unions · Savez sindikata Republike Srpske

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[● 3 SOURCES] Market inspector Marina Radulović stated that inspectors regularly encounter attempts to circumvent Sunday‑work laws through kiosk status or re‑registration of premises. www.aktuelno.me · bokanews.me · bizniscg.me
[● 2 SOURCES] Montenegro’s Chamber of Commerce reports that some retailers exploit legal exemptions to operate on Sundays and public holidays, undermining market fairness. www.aktuelno.me · bokanews.me
[● 3 SOURCES] The Chamber of Commerce plans to submit a set of legislative proposals to the Montenegrin government to tighten the regulatory framework for Sunday trading. www.aktuelno.me · bokanews.me · bizniscg.me
[● 2 SOURCES] Chamber president Nina Drakić called for clearer definitions of legal exemptions, higher penalties for repeat offenders, and better inter‑institutional coordination. www.aktuelno.me · bokanews.me
[○ 1 SOURCE] Proposals include higher pay for Sunday work and exemptions for pregnant women and mothers with children under seven years old. n24.ba
[○ 1 SOURCE] An expert analysis supported by the European Commission concluded that a non‑working Sunday would not cause significant economic disruption for retail owners. n24.ba
[○ 1 SOURCE] There is no evidence that the non‑working Sunday in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina led to a significant increase in retail traffic in the Republic of Srpska. n24.ba
[○ 1 SOURCE] The Alliance of Trade Unions of the Republic of Srpska is demanding the introduction of a non‑working Sunday for retail stores. n24.ba
[○ 1 SOURCE] An EU‑supported analysis shows a non‑working Sunday would not cause major economic disruption for retailers. n24.ba
[○ 1 SOURCE] The Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina introduced a non‑working Sunday rule for retail two years ago, but its application varies across cantons and sectors. www.rtvslon.ba
[● 3 SOURCES] Retailers in Montenegro re‑register as specialised shops or kiosks to operate on Sundays, violating the law. bizniscg.me · www.aktuelno.me · bokanews.me
[● 3 SOURCES] Chamber president Nina Drakić calls for clearer definitions of legal exemptions, higher penalties and better inter‑institutional coordination. bizniscg.me · www.aktuelno.me · bokanews.me