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The Committee noted in its previous direct request the comments made by the French Democratic Confederation of Labour (CFDT) concerning observance of the Act respecting Sunday shop opening and illegal constraints placed upon employees. It now notes from the Government's report that a draft law relating to the weekly Sunday rest day for workers and the opening of shops on Sunday was examined by the Economic and Social Council on 14 and 15 May 1991. The Committee also notes that the draft includes provisions which (1) reaffirm the prohibition of work in shops on Sundays; (2) enlarge the list of establishments which may rotate the weekly rest day amongst their personnel; (3) permit local authorities in tourist areas to make temporary exceptions for retail groceries and tourist services; (4) increase to four times per year the number of exceptions per retail establishment to the usual Sunday weekly rest which may be made by local authorities; and (5) increase the penalties for failure to respect regulations concerning the Sunday rest.

The Committee recalls that the obligations accepted under Article 3 of the Convention cover, inter alia, establishments providing personal services and places of public entertainment. The Committee hopes the Government will continue to provide information on developments in the application of the Convention, including consultations with representative employers' and workers' organisations where special weekly rest schemes are considered, either in the Economic and Social Council or elsewhere (cf. Article 7(4)).