Malta among EU states with most public holidays
AS the controversial issue of public holidays still dominates the political agenda, a list obtained by The Sunday Times from European Commission sources confirms that Malta ranks among the top EU member states in terms of the number of public holidays...
AS the controversial issue of public holidays still dominates the political agenda, a list obtained by The Sunday Times from European Commission sources confirms that Malta ranks among the top EU member states in terms of the number of public holidays enjoyed by employees each year.
The Swedes, whose country is one of the richest in the EU, will this year enjoy the highest number of public holidays - 17.
Following them, with 15 public holidays, comes Slovakia, which joined the EU last May together with Malta, Austria, Finland and Slovenia - all of whom have the same number of public holidays - 14.
However, all three countries are considered wealthier than Malta, with healthier gross domestic product figures than those related to the Maltese economy.
Among the 25 EU member states, Estonia, Lithuania and the UK have the least number of public holidays - Estonia and Lithuania have only nine and the UK 10.
However in the case of the UK, this year is an exception, as Christmas Eve and Christmas Day will fall on a weekend, and so the following two days after December 25 have been added as public holidays. Normally there are only eight public holidays, known as bank holidays, in the UK each year.
As the debate in Malta focuses on whether public holidays should be curtailed, the discussion in the UK is on whether another public holiday should be added so that British workers will start enjoying more holidays like their European colleagues.
According to reports in the British press, this move might be one of the upcoming electoral campaign 'sweeteners' before the UK elections.
British trade unions have been campaigning for more public holidays to bring Britain into line with the EU, which averages 11 a year and the same reports say that Mr Blair's Labour Party is now seriously considering the move and is drawing up plans for an extra bank holiday as part of a manifesto strategy to help improve the work-life balance.
Downing Street policy advisors believe that a ninth bank holiday could be a significant gesture towards encouraging working parents to spend more time with their children. Labour plans to make the issue of childcare a key plank of its agenda for a third term in power.