Chile’s Chamber of Deputies approved a last minute law making Chile’s election day- Dec. 13- a “half-day” holiday.

The law stipulates that stores have to close at 2 pm, thus making it easier for half a million Chileans who work on Sundays to vote. The new law does not apply to small businesses, many of which are family run.

Election laws already in place prohibit restaurants or places that sell alcohol to open on election day. Big public events such as concerts are also banned.

Although welcomed by many, the new law is criticized by storeowners and managers. “The law in not necessary,” said Carlos Eugenio Jorquiera, president of the National Commerce Chamber (CNC). “People can vote while at the same time keeping businesses open. Because we are all coming out of an economic crisis, we have to take advantage of these months, especially December, when commercial activity is at its peak.”

SOURCES: LA TERCERA, LA NACION, EL MERCURIO
By Gida Homad-Hamam ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )

Gida, a Jordanian of Palestinian/Syrian descent started off in Chile on Aug. 3, 2007 without a word of Spanish and far far away from her home in Amman. She has a BA Specialization in Anthropology and Sociology and a Minor in Art History and Studio Arts from Concordia University, Montreal, Canada. After completing her studies, she went back to Jordan, worked for two years with CARE International and the Jordan Red Crescent amongst others, got married and embarked on the journey to Santiago. She learnt Spanish, did an internship with Amnesty International, taught English and learned that palta is good with everything. In Santiago she has also nurtured her love for cats and garnered her interest in dogs. She learned about the Santiago Times from a friend and thought she would try her hand at both photography and writing. Gida hopes to see a lot more of both Chile and South America.