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The legislation that imposes a Sunday shopping ban with a number of exceptions was backed by 46 lawmakers, while 23 voted against. This was just enough for an absolute majority needed to overturn the veto. Parliament had originally passed the law on 20th December. In line with the law, shops selling essential goods regardless of their size and location will be allowed to open up to ten Sundays a year. Moreover, shops smaller than 200 sq. metres and located at petrol stations, city or town centres, pilgrimage sites, marinas, camping sites, spas, hospitals, hotels, airports, border crossings, train and bus stations will be able to remain open all Sundays. The large number of exceptions prompted the National Council to veto the act. The representatives of the employers argued that the law failed to implement the will of the voters expressed at the 2003 referendum on the issue, in which 56% of the ballots cast backed the closure of shops on Sundays. The unions have cried foul about the legislation because of the large number of exceptions to the ban. The government, meanwhile, claims that the law is good as it protects Slovenia's economic interests, especially the tourism sector, while implementing the will of the people that shops remain closed on Sundays. After being published in the Official Gazette, the changes will replace the trade act that entered into force on 1st January that imposes a much more conservative ban on Sunday shopping. The list of exceptions to the ban under the currently valid act includes shops located at petrol stations, hospitals, hotels, airports, border crossings, train and bus stations.