Offshore workers are exempted from legislation

Amicus is angry that the UK Government has exempted offshore staff from the European Working Time Directive.

This aims to impose a maximum 48-hour working week and give employees a guaranteed four weeks of paid annual leave.

The union plans to submit a complaint to the European Commission about the exemption and is considering taking legal action.

Joint general secretary Derek Simpson said: "I hope that MPs and ministers are mindful as they disappear off for their extended summer break that 27,000 UK offshore workers are being denied their basic entitlement to four weeks' paid annual leave.

"Rest assured we will be working hard over the summer to ensure that offshore workers are not denied their full holiday."

A spokesman for the Department of Trade and Industry said holiday entitlement was a matter between the union and employers.