UK Workers Get Second-Lowest Public Holidays

Workers of England Union (WEU) has highlighted that England records the lowest number of public holidays in the EU—just eight days—and the second-lowest globally. The union argues that withdrawal from the European Union and independence from the British TUC is essential to advance workers’ rights, secure better pay, and improve working conditions.

British TUC’s Ineffectiveness

The British Trades Union Congress (TUC) has admitted it struggles to campaign effectively for UK workers’ rights, despite EU membership. Former Labour MP and Vote Leave spokesman Ian Davidson remarked that the Working Time Directive has seen no major improvements since 1993 due to the “death of Social Europe.”

Public Holiday Entitlements Across Europe

Across twelve EU countries surveyed by Hotels.com, the average combined entitlement to annual leave and public holidays is 33 days. In contrast:

• Russia: 28 days annual leave + 12 public holidays = 40 days
• Italy: 24 + 12 = 36 days
• Sweden: 25 + 11 = 36 days
• Finland, France, Norway: 25 + 10 = 35 days each

Spain, Italy, and Russia lead the EU with 12 public holidays each, while the UK has only eight shared bank holidays:

• New Year’s Day
• Good Friday
• Easter Monday
• Early May Bank Holiday
• Spring Bank Holiday
• Summer Bank Holiday
• Christmas Day
• Boxing Day

The statutory minimum of 20 days annual leave brings the UK total to 28 days off. By comparison, Scots enjoy nine public holidays, Northern Irish workers get ten, and globally Mexico records the lowest total at 13 days off per year.

Global Public Holiday Comparison

UK workers’ public holiday entitlement ranks second-lowest worldwide, according to financial services firm Ian Silvera of International Business Times. Key findings include:

• India & Colombia: 18 public holidays
• Mexico: 7 public holidays (least generous)
• UK, Hungary & Netherlands: 8 public holidays

Ellyn Karetnick of Mercer’s global mobility practice noted the fluidity of public holiday counts, as some nations observe one-off or local holidays.

Eastern & Central Europe

In Central and Eastern Europe:

• Turkey: 14.5 public holidays
• Russia: 14 public holidays
• Slovakia: 13 public holidays
• Czech Republic & Lithuania: 12 public holidays
• Croatia: 11 public holidays
• Poland & Ukraine: 10 public holidays
• Serbia & Romania: 9 public holidays

Conclusion

The UK’s low public holiday entitlement highlights the need for more robust campaigning on workers’ rights. For further details on how the UK compares globally, explore our analysis of the UK public holidays ranking.