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25/10/2004
Pressurised workers need more bank holidays, says TUC
The government should create three new bank holidays to help overstretched workers spend more time with their families, according to the Trades Union Congress (TUC).
As work-related stress costs the UK £4.4 billion a year, staff working excessive hours should expect a few extra days off to re-charge their batteries. The TUC claim that the economy could cope with the three extra bank holidays needed to bring us up to the European average of 11 days.
With 61 days to go until the next bank holiday and 56 days since the last one, the congress today called for this autumn's half-term Monday to be instituted as one of three new bank holidays. Britain currently has eight bank holidays which are placed on top of annual leave – Northern Ireland has 10.
The TUC's move comes on the back of an online poll where the majority of the 20,000 people who took part voted for an extra day off.
Brendan Barber, TUC General Secretary, said: "It’s a cold dark Monday but autumn doesn’t have to be such a slog. The country could comfortably cope with a day off today to break the 16-week bank holiday-free stretch.
"If this Monday were a bank holiday, millions of hard working families would be able to spend a day with their children during half term without taking extra leave. Millions of employees could give our leisure and retail industries a boost or take a long weekend away and help our tourism sector. Others could simply be enjoying a well-earned extra lie in and a very happy Monday."
Across the EU only the Netherlands gives its workers as few public holidays as the UK, but Dutch workers have more annual leave. The average across the 25 European states is 11.35 days, Slovakia with 18 has the most, closely followed by Cyprus on 14. Malta, Spain and Portugal grant their workers 14 days each year.
The Labour government in the 1970s introduced two additional bank holidays: New Year’s Day (1974) and May Day (1978). Since then a number of ‘one-off’ public holidays have been created to celebrate special events like the 1981 Royal Wedding and the 2002 Golden Jubilee.
(gmcg/sp)
As work-related stress costs the UK £4.4 billion a year, staff working excessive hours should expect a few extra days off to re-charge their batteries. The TUC claim that the economy could cope with the three extra bank holidays needed to bring us up to the European average of 11 days.
With 61 days to go until the next bank holiday and 56 days since the last one, the congress today called for this autumn's half-term Monday to be instituted as one of three new bank holidays. Britain currently has eight bank holidays which are placed on top of annual leave – Northern Ireland has 10.
The TUC's move comes on the back of an online poll where the majority of the 20,000 people who took part voted for an extra day off.
Brendan Barber, TUC General Secretary, said: "It’s a cold dark Monday but autumn doesn’t have to be such a slog. The country could comfortably cope with a day off today to break the 16-week bank holiday-free stretch.
"If this Monday were a bank holiday, millions of hard working families would be able to spend a day with their children during half term without taking extra leave. Millions of employees could give our leisure and retail industries a boost or take a long weekend away and help our tourism sector. Others could simply be enjoying a well-earned extra lie in and a very happy Monday."
Across the EU only the Netherlands gives its workers as few public holidays as the UK, but Dutch workers have more annual leave. The average across the 25 European states is 11.35 days, Slovakia with 18 has the most, closely followed by Cyprus on 14. Malta, Spain and Portugal grant their workers 14 days each year.
The Labour government in the 1970s introduced two additional bank holidays: New Year’s Day (1974) and May Day (1978). Since then a number of ‘one-off’ public holidays have been created to celebrate special events like the 1981 Royal Wedding and the 2002 Golden Jubilee.
(gmcg/sp)
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24 August 2001
TUC calls for three more bank holidays a year
The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has called on the British government to review bank holiday entitlement and to give British workers an extra three days every year.
TUC calls for three more bank holidays a year
The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has called on the British government to review bank holiday entitlement and to give British workers an extra three days every year.
05 June 2002
Up to 6 million people lost out on Jubilee holiday
With most people across the UK celebrating the Queen’s Golden Jubilee, for those people having to work, the TUC has estimated that up to 6 million people may find their pay packet is lighter this month because of it.
Up to 6 million people lost out on Jubilee holiday
With most people across the UK celebrating the Queen’s Golden Jubilee, for those people having to work, the TUC has estimated that up to 6 million people may find their pay packet is lighter this month because of it.
26 March 2002
Number of days lost to industrial disputes on the increase
In Ireland the number of working days lost due to industrial disputes has risen sharply since 2001. Over 114,000 working days were lost in 2001. This represented almost a 20 per cent increase from 2000 in the time lost due to industrial action.
Number of days lost to industrial disputes on the increase
In Ireland the number of working days lost due to industrial disputes has risen sharply since 2001. Over 114,000 working days were lost in 2001. This represented almost a 20 per cent increase from 2000 in the time lost due to industrial action.
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UK has fewer work stoppages than ever
UK work stoppages fell to 133 last year, the lowest on record, according to the June edition of Labour Market Trends out today. This new low, which saw working days lost in 2003 total 499,100, compares with 146 stoppages (1.323 million days lost) in 2002 and 194 stoppages (525,100 days lost) in 2001.
UK has fewer work stoppages than ever
UK work stoppages fell to 133 last year, the lowest on record, according to the June edition of Labour Market Trends out today. This new low, which saw working days lost in 2003 total 499,100, compares with 146 stoppages (1.323 million days lost) in 2002 and 194 stoppages (525,100 days lost) in 2001.
23 August 2002
Conference highlights £1.27bn SME sector funding
A major European conference next month aims to help small firms to access the £1.27 billion of cash aid available to SMEs throughout the UK.
Conference highlights £1.27bn SME sector funding
A major European conference next month aims to help small firms to access the £1.27 billion of cash aid available to SMEs throughout the UK.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:After a dry start this morning rain will spread from the northwest across all parts. This afternoon will be dull with some patchy rain and drizzle. Becoming much milder through the afternoon. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:A cloudy evening and night with a little light rain or drizzle, perhaps some clear periods developing along the east coast. A very mild night everywhere. Minimum temperature 10 °C.
