From the Revd Geoffrey Squire SSC
Sir, - There is nothing wrong with the Government's or any
other body's "reflecting" on or debating shop opening hours (
News, 17 August), or any other matter of national interest. But
there appears to be something seriously wrong in this debate, in
that minimal reference is made to the workers involved.
One may consider that a good case
could be made for doctors' surgeries, schools, civic centres, and
county halls to open for far longer hours on every day of the week
with some form of rota system, but high in the debate would be the
thoughts of the doctors, teachers, and civil servants who would be
required to change their work pattern severely with no guarantee of
enhanced financial reward.
UK shop workers are among the most
low-paid and exploited in the land. The intending employees of some
large retailers often have to declare that they will be available
for work on any day at any time with no guarantee of enhanced
payment for Saturday, Sunday, bank-holiday, or evening work. The
work patterns of some are changed at very short notice to cover for
absenteeism. Even the Queen's Jubilee holiday was exploited for
commercial gain.
To say that X per cent of people would
like the shops to be open longer is of no value whatever. The same
result would be obtained if the campaign was for longer opening
hours for doctors' surgeries or civic centres, etc. Christians
should stand alongside the exploited and poorer members of
society.
I once worked from junior assistant up
to management level with a large multiple retailer, and then moved
on to become managing director of an independent retail
company.
GEOFFREY SQUIRE
Little Cross, Goodleigh, Barnstaple, Devon EX32 7NR