European Sunday Alliance Calls for Work-Free Sundays Across the EU
5 March 2024 |
The European Sunday Alliance (ESA) disclosed a manifesto on March 1 (on the threshold of the European Day for a Work-Free Sunday, observed March 3), advocating for Sunday to be officially recognized as a day of rest throughout the European Union (EU), according to a recent article on the COMECE website. This proposition comes at a pivotal moment, given the upcoming EU elections in June 2024, and is meant to promote a collective strategy for enhancing work-life balance and mental health.
The ESA is made up of over 100 national Sunday alliances, trade unions, employers’ groups, civic organizations, and religious communities in the European Union, all aiming to emphasize the cultural and societal significance of Sunday as a rest day. The Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) is a key founding member, highlighting the wide-ranging endorsement for this initiative.
The manifesto asserts that scheduled rest days can significantly mitigate the effects of loneliness and improve mental health among workers. To this end, the ESA is reaching out to Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) and European Election candidates, seeking their support for the Steering Committee’s Manifesto. The Alliance’s objective is straightforward: to establish Sunday as a universally observed day of rest, fostering a culture of community and shared downtime across the EU. (Nothing is included about what must or must not be done on Saturdays.)
This campaign has garnered support from a wide array of MEPs across different political factions, indicating widespread endorsement throughout the EU. Notable advocates include Miriam Lexmann (EPP – Slovakia), the main patron of the Alliance, and others such as Gabriele Bischoff (S&D – Germany) and Tomáš Zdechovský (EPP – Czech Republic), among various representatives from multiple EU nations and political backgrounds.
To bolster support and awareness for a universal day off, the ESA has initiated a dynamic video campaign. These videos, shared on ESA’s Twitter, Facebook, and the COMECE YouTube channel, are designed to inform both political leaders and the wider public about the benefits of a unified rest day each week.
