Madrid is at the forefront of the freedom of business hours

Monday to Saturday, you can buy at any time in any store. At least that is what, on paper, allowed by law to liberalize shopping hours in the Assembly approved yesterday and will enter into force within weeks. Another thing is whether the department store near his home at dawn decides to open or if the Chinese in his neighborhood, now forced to close at midnight, are encouraged to stay open 24 hours.

Monday to Saturday, you can buy at any time in any store. At least that is what, on paper, allowed by law to liberalize shopping hours in the Assembly approved yesterday and will enter into force within weeks. Another thing is whether the department store near his home at dawn decides to open or if the Chinese in his neighborhood, now forced to close at midnight, are encouraged to stay open 24 hours.

The decision, however, was greeted with a compliment to the doors. "The traitor of the workers." The praise was dedicated yesterday to the president of the Community of Madrid, Esperanza Aguirre, nearly 500 workers to pass the law. And they did against the Assembly, uploaded to a stage mounted for the occasion and to 32 degrees centigrade. They wanted to make their voices heard at the last plenary of this political course, not be the last, but precisely for that law that gives freedom to open shops.

Meanwhile, inside it was the final of the law with 59 votes of 67 deputies who have the PP in the House, which earned him an absolute majority. The rule will take effect the day following its publication in the Official Gazette of the Community of Madrid (BOCM), which probably will in the coming weeks.

Says that the warning is not a traitor, and Aguirre has already warned last year its intention to liberalize the timetable. He did so in November 2007, when the schedule expanded trade openings until Sunday at 22 years. It repeated in January, when he declared the area of the Sun as busy tourist area, providing it free to open any day of the week. And what do again in May, when he announced the freedom of schedule, which ends with the restrictions of 90 hours per week and you can not open from midnight until seven o'clock.

Yesterday, in the plenary of the Assembly completed its goal of approving the Modernization Act of Commerce in Madrid, with the sole support of his party. Madrid is now the "most liberal", said a spokesman for the regional government.

Since the launch of the law have followed the views for and against. Small and medium-sized merchants say they will cost the loss of 100,000 jobs. Large areas have applauded the measure. Some, such as Carrefour, are open even at night, but yesterday would not confirm this.

With the law that existed until yesterday, could not keep the shops open from twelve o'clock. Now, some businesses, such as food bazaars run by Chinese citizens can take advantage of free time. The situation remains unchanged for Sunday in which they can open: 22 to remain, except in the area of the Sun

The regional government says the new law will create new jobs and improve the quality of life. The unions and the opposition claim that the law is harmful to the reconciliation of work and family life. "The crisis is beyond practicing liberal policies," said Aguirre, in full, and the Commerce Act is one of those policies that reduced inflation and promotes job creation, "added a few hours before approving it in Responding to a question from the United Left spokesperson, Inés Sabanés, on the economic recession.

In all questions to the president of the Community came to light the issue of trade, although it is not the issue for debate. Outside the Assembly, a worker was Caprabo desgañitaba: "I invite the president to spend a months pockets of working with us and who lives with 700 guarros we won." Inside, Sabanés speak again: "The liberalization of shopping hours would make it impossible to reconcile the 300,000 workers in the sector."

Aguirre replied: "There are many women who want to work, care for their children and go shopping." Outside, Jose Maria, 34, who works as a saleswoman in a Alcampo Vallecas assured that if you extend the time, even one hour, will have to stop working, "I can not afford not to see my daughter . It is a single parent and earns 800 euros per month. On Sunday a working pay 12 euros.

The spokesman socialist Maru Menéndez, also used his question to the president to discuss the reconciliation of work, which it considers affected by the opening hours total. "We're better than we were, but much remains to be done," he replied, briefly, Aguirre. Menendez And you replied: "We're not better. The policies of his government are contrary to the reconciliation. Working women have to leave by 42% employment from 32 years in the Community. One very worrying." Aguirre asked Menendez is "stripping" of its "status of union." "You have been chosen to represent the interests of everyone, including entrepreneurs," he added.

Meanwhile, in the street, workers in the sector of trade, hotel and tourism were about to begin an act of protest, with the participation of anonymous people who will be affected by the extent Aguirre. It was the culmination of a day of claims. At half past eleven, some 250 people had been quoted in The Sun the aim was to walk about seven kilometers from here to there is the Assembly, protesting the beeping and law. All were stewards. "But then come to work now," says one of the protesters.

They walked for three hours, enduring temperatures over 30 degrees, with a cap as the only protection. Two police motorcycles were inroads among them cars. Although he was scheduled to arrive at half past four, two hours before the protesters were in front of the plaza. It zamparon some sandwiches, reposaron half past five and began his act, now accompanied by workers who had left their posts.

Although the music of the square resounded throughout the evening in the Assembly building, the shouts of the nearly 500 workers and the support of Ines Sabanés Maru and Menendez, who spent a few words from the stage, small Traders could not do anything else. At nine p.m. and hands, "because a deputy has spilled water into the system," the president explained, the law was passed. Fifty-nine votes in favor and 49 against. Aguirre was not present for the vote.

Was closed and a vote that gives way to a new form of trade in the Community "more liberal" means non-stop days of purchase.