Union chiefs call for four more UK public holidays to reward 'graft nation'

UK workers should be given four more public holidays to reward a 'nation of grafters' and bring them into line with their European counterparts as it emerges that they put on some of the longest hours on the continent

British workers work some of the longest hours in Europe (

Image: Getty Images)

Union leaders are calling for four more public holidays to reward 'our nation of grafters'.

The Trades Union Congress wants the UK to come into line with other European countries, which have an average of 12.3 bank holidays a year.

Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Cyprus lead the table with 15.

But England and Wales generally have eight bank holidays a year, while Scotland and Northern Ireland have nine or ten, depending on when New Year's Day occurs and their patron saint days.

British businesses claimed £27 billion in free labor last year in unpaid overtime, according to the TUC.

And the body's call for more holidays comes after audio leaked of Tory management favorite Liz Truss claiming UK workers need 'more transplant' because they don't have " the skills and application" of those elsewhere.

Frances O'Grady, General Secretary of the TUC (

Picture:

REUTERS)

TUC General Secretary Frances O'Grady said: "Some politicians have called British workers lazy, but we work some of the longest hours in Europe. And we have the fewest public holidays. instead of insulting the workers, let's show more gratitude to our nation of thugs."

When asked about her leaked remarks - made while she was Chief Secretary to the Treasury between 2017 and 2019 - Ms Truss claimed she did not acknowledge t...