Three-quarters of Chamber of Commerce members prefer summer time

A survey among businesses has found that a majority are in favour of sticking to summer time all year round

The European Commission is suggesting that member states abandon the practive of moving the hours in sprint and autumn
The European Commission is suggesting that member states abandon the practive of moving the hours in sprint and autumn

Some 75% of businesses affiliated with the Malta Chamber of Commerce have said that if a decision were to be taken to stop changing clocks twice a year, they would prefer sticking to summer time.

The government launched a week-long consultation period on the matter last week, with cabinet expected to discuss the proposal today.

The discussion comes as the European Commission is recommending that member states abandon the practice of moving the hours in spring and autumn.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Chamber said that “the vast majority of respondents expressed a position in favour of summer time”.

“Businesses taking the survey preferred summer time all year long. They remarked that longer days should lead to a more motivated work-force, which in turn translates into more business activity especially among retail, hospitality and restaurant businesses,” the Chamber said.

It added that longer days also mean workers would enjoy more daylight after their respective work shifts, leading to a “wider feel good factor amongst employees”.

“Some businesses also stated that Malta ought to align its time to other European countries in the CET zone,” the Chamber said.

It said the change from summer to winter time was considered negative by 54% of respondents, while 68% considered the change from winter to summer time as positive.

A Europe-wide consultation found that 84% of EU citizens were in favour of ending the practice and sticking instead to summer time. The survey showed that 54% of Maltese were in favour of abolishing the practice.

Any change would need approval from national governments and the European parliament to become law.

Under EU legislation, citizens in all 28 EU countries have been required to move their clocks an hour forward on the last Sunday in March and switch back to winter time on the final Sunday in October.