UK workers should get four more bank holidays a year, according to the Trades Union Congress (TUC), one of the largest workers' unions.
The body has said the UK should be in line with other European countries that enjoy an average 12.3 public holidays a year. The call comes amid TUC's claim that businesses received £27 billion of free labour in unpaid overtime last year, reported the Mirror.
TUC said gratitude should be rewarded to the "nation of grafters" - echoing leaked audio of Liz Truss claiming UK workers "need more graft" as they lack the "skill and appreciation" of those elsewhere.
Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Cyprus top the table with 15 bank holidays per year.
In comparison, Scotland and Northern Ireland have nine or 10 bank holidays per year whilst England and Wales typically get eight bank holidays depending on the timing of New Year and their patron saint days.
TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady said: "Some politicians have been calling UK workers lazy but we work some of the longest hours in Europe. And we get the fewest public holidays. Instead of insulting workers, let's show more gratitude to our nation of grafters."
Ms Truss has said that she "did not recognise" the leaked remarks which were made while she was Chief Secretary to the Treasury between 2017 and 2019. She previously faced anger over Britannia Unchained, a book she co-authored with four other Tory MPs in 2012 and which described British staff as "the worst idlers in the world".
Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng, who is tipped to be Chancellor if Ms Truss wins, was also a contributor to Britannia Unchained. Boris Johnson snubbed calls by Labour leader Keir Starmer for an extra bank holiday this year to celebrate England's Women's Euros win.
The Government said: "The current pattern of public and bank holidays is well established and while an additional holiday may benefit some, the cost to the economy is considerable."
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