MPs approved the bill by a margin of 107 to 53.

Currently, Sunday opening hours are limited to the Christmas holiday season and summer months. Small grocery stores and rural shops are allowed limited Sunday hours year round.

The new law will allow Sunday hours for all shops between noon and 18:00 throughout the year. From November to Christmas Eve, Sunday opening hours would be extended to 21:00. Shops would have to close at noon on Christmas Eve and Midsummer's Eve.

Small shops with an area less than 400 square metres would be allowed to choose when they open and close.

The legislation also allows retailers in shopping centres to shut their doors for at least one day a week if they choose.

Opponents of the bill had called for the entire proposal to be rejected, instead of objecting to the details. They argued that not only would it erode the tranquillity of Sundays, but it would put too much pressure on employees, requiring them to make special arrangements for Sunday travel and day care, among other things.

Retailers ready to do business

The Federation of Finnish Commerce estimates that around 2,000 jobs will be created due to the new law. Managing Director Juhani Pekkala says the decision improves the possibility among retailers to offer fulltime work contracts as well as more hours for part-time employees.

The new law goes into effect in the first half of December.