Workers in Northern Ireland are to be guaranteed up to 10 days additional paid holiday a year under plans unveiled by the British government today.
The plan will ensure workers get paid for bank and public holidays in addition to their current statutory four weeks' annual leave.
The proposals are being put out for public consultation until mid-October. Providing for an extra eight days would bring Northern Ireland into line with Britain, where there are eight bank and public holidays, whilst an extra ten days would reflect the number in Northern Ireland.
Ministers said the plan would see the lowest paid, women, part-timers and those from ethnic minorities gaining the most.
The government proposes the additional leave will be phased in starting with an increase from 20 to 24 days holiday - pro-rata for part time workers - from October 1st, 2007.