Neither of the things you mention are caused by labor costs. European stores are closed on Sundays because the law requires them to be. It's a measure to allo

Neither of the things you mention are caused by labor costs. European stores are closed on Sundays because the law requires them to be. It's a measure to allow mom & pop stores to compete against the WalMarts of the world while maintaining quality of life. Construction happens during the day because people in western countries value silence, and therefore the laws are written to prevent noisy things happening during the hours that normal people are asleep. Road construction at night seems like a great idea, until it happens on the road in front of your house.