French baker fined 3,000 Euros for 7-day week

World
Europe

A French baker was fined 3,000 euros (3,600 US dollars) for opening his store seven consecutive days in breach of the country’s labor law.

Cedric Vaivre was running the only bakery in the town of Lusigny-sur-Barse and kept his store open for seven days a week during the busy summer season in 2017. As a result, the 41-year-old received a penalty ticket via registered mail from local labor authorities.

Town residents support the baker /File Photo‍

However, Cedric refused to pay the fine and explained to RMC, a French radio station, that he just loved his job. Supporters in the town have also spoken up for Cedric’s hard work to meet demand from tourists who flock to the town to visit a nearby park in summer.

According to the BBC, a petition asking for a change in the rule which has been in effect for over a decade to forbid bakeries from opening seven days a week has attracted over 2,000 signatures. The local mayor also joined in to support Cedric.

A baker making bread /File Photo

"There is nothing worse than closed shops when there are tourists," the broadcaster quoted mayor Christian Branle as saying.

Local officials explained that the local employment law stipulated that bakers have to take a day of rest each week. A report by BBC also says that most local bakeries would like to adhere to the rule.