Workers in NI set to benefit from extra holiday entitlement

The Secretary of State Peter Hain MP today announced Government proposals to increase workers' minimum annual statutory holiday entitlement from 20 to 30 days.

Peter Hain explained that a significant number of workers in Northern Ireland are likely to benefit from an extra ten days holiday each year under the plans. Employers will no longer be able to force staff to take Northern Ireland’s ten bank holidays as part of their statutory leave.

Confirming that the changes to paid leave would be phased in over the next two years, the Secretary of State said:

“The Department for Employment and Learning (DEL) will shortly launch a second public consultation on the implementation of the changes. The minimum statutory annual leave entitlement would be increased in two stages, rising from 20 to 24 days on 1st October 2007, and from 24 to 30 days on 1st October 2008.”

The move will protect vulnerable workers with the lowest paid, women, part-timers and those from minority ethnic communities gaining the most. It would also allow reputable companies to compete on a more level playing field with those companies that give employees only the minimum of holiday entitlement. Some employers currently include the ten bank holidays as part of their workers’ 20-day annual leave entitlement.

Emphasizing the importance of motivating staff, Peter Hain said:

“Most companies already recognise that good holiday provision makes good business sense. Holiday entitlement can be a key factor in recruiting and retaining staff. Holidays are also important for productivity as they help minimise sick leave and keep people motivated and refreshed.

“People work hard and they deserve a decent break. We want to make sure everyone gets the holiday they are entitled to. Many people, particularly the lowest paid, have to take bank and public holidays from their leave entitlement and the increase will be a significant boost for these workers.”

An increase would move NI workers' annual leave entitlement closer to that of workers in other European countries, where holiday allowance is typically more generous. Compared with the current minimum allowance of 20 days in NI, for example, workers in the Republic of Ireland are entitled to 29 days; the highest minimum entitlement is in Austria at 38 days.

DEL has consulted on the increase and has sought the views of business, employer and employee representatives.

Notes to Editors

1. The right to 20 days paid annual leave was introduced by the Working Time Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1988.

  • DEL undertook an initial consultation that closed on 19 October 2006 and received 25 responses. Details of the initial consultation can be found on the consultation zone on the department’s web site at

http://www.delni.gov.uk/index/consultation-zone/archived-consultations/archived-consultations-2006/public-consultation-on-a-proposal-to-increase-paid-holiday-entitlement.htm

  1. Media enquiries to the Department for Employment and Learning Press Office on 028 9025 7790