It's for workers' rights. Even ole' John Calvin (who probably started it in Switzerland) wanted Sunday as a day off because it protected workers rights against overwork, not because he saw it as mandated by the Bible.

Hi, Swiss person here. This does not address why it should be Sunday for everyone. Nobody's saying you should work 7 days a week. We could have different off days for different people.

It’s not that Sunday is special pet day, just that they don’t want employers working the disadvantaged 7 days a week with no breaks.

> […] working the disadvantaged 7 days a week with no breaks.

In countries with a high development index, the employment law usually prohibits 7 day long working weeks, and there is a provision of at least one day off (granted, since employment laws vary across jurisdictions, there is no universal rule).

The situation is different for small businesses and self-employed as they are the masters of their own fate (so to speak), e.g. if a cafe owner decides to run the cafe 7 days a week and work there in person themselves, that is their choice.

As a student - that fucked me over, as working Saturday and Sunday in stores would be the easiest way to earn money on side. :P

And then govt decided to stop for brownie points with church.

> And then govt decided to stop for brownie points with church.

Sundays off are about workers rights, little to do with religion.

And you can still work on Sunday - in businesses that are allowed to be open (gastro, petrol stations, certain shops).

>> Sundays off are about workers rights, little to do with religion.

Why did they all happen to pick Sunday?

Last day of the week?

Weekend is only two days long, so it's not like you have a lot of options.

To take it further... why is Sunday the last day of the week in all of those countries?

(Of course, my point is, Sunday is the day off, the last day of the week, and the "core" of the weekend, exactly because of the dominant religion.)