Labour promises more holiday for workers
Workers will get bank holidays on top of paid leave under plans announced by Tony Blair.
The Prime Minister has pledged to stop employers forcing workers to take bank holidays as part of their annual leave.
Two million workers in the UK are currently forced to take national holidays as part of their statutory time off.
Writing in the Daily Mirror, Mr Blair said workers could lose over a week-and-a-half of their statutory four weeks’ paid leave under the current law.
The Prime Minister said the existing law was not fair on workers and their families and said a third term Labour government would allow employees to take bank holidays off on top of their annual leave.
“Two million people will today have little reason to celebrate having Easter Monday off. They will be forced to take it as part of their annual four weeks’ paid leave,” said Mr Blair.
“If this happens for all eight bank holidays they lose over a week-and-a-half holiday each year. Not fair to them or their families.”
“This Labour government which gave everyone the right to paid holidays for the first time is determined to take action,” he added.
Mr Blair, who has yet to confirm the date of the General Election, expected in May, said the plan would particularly benefit low-paid workers and women.
