Wanaka retailers who opened illegally over Easter are being kept on tenterhooks over whether they will be prosecuted.
While a labour inspector from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment did not make their presence known in Wanaka on Good Friday and Easter Sunday, there is still a chance retailers could be prosecuted.
Ministry communications adviser Ella Zaykova told the Otago Daily Times yesterday information on enforcement activity was not yet available but would be compiled in the next two to four weeks. She explained the delay was because of ''more pressing work''.
''We are still making assessments on next steps so it's too early to say what actions will be taken.''
Many Wanaka retailers contravened the Shop Trading Hours Repeal Act 1990 by opening at Easter. They described the legislation as outdated.
Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean, who has been attempting to free up Easter trading laws since 2008, believes retailers should not be penalised for opening.
Mrs Dean says she will continue to lobby ministers, and she is contemplating the introduction to Parliament of her third Bill on the issue later this year.
''Freeing up our Easter trading laws is all about maximising economic growth in the regions and supporting the tourism and business sectors of these towns.
''I would love to think that this is the last Easter that regional retailers are shackled by these draconian Easter trading laws and I look forward to some positive change.''
