UK workers have the shortest holidays and lowest productivity in northern Europe

John Monks, TUC general secretary

However, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said there are no plans to increase the number of public holidays.

There are eight bank holidays in Britain, compared with 12 in Italy, 13 in Austria and up to 14 in Spain and Portugal.

TUC general secretary John Monks said: "Workers in this country have no statutory rights to bank holidays, having to rely instead on the generosity of their employers.

Golden jubilee

"UK workers have the shortest holidays and lowest productivity in northern Europe.

"So offering more holidays makes sense for employers too because well rested workers are more productive.

Bank Holidays

UK - eight Italy - 12 Austria - 13 Spain and Portugal - 14

"Workers need proper time off work as much as their European colleagues, but once again they are at the bottom of the EU pile."

The TUC has made regular demands for better public holiday entitlement.

A DTI spokesman said: "The government is committed to promoting an effective work-life balance and we have made positive steps in this area, such as with the introduction of the working time and parental leave regulations."

The DTI pointed out there would be an extra day off in early June to mark the Queen's Golden Jubilee.