Cook urges paid leave for patriotic workers

Employers are being urged to give
staff paid leave to celebrate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee.

Leader of the House of Commons Robin Cook, said he hoped
staff would be allowed to enjoy the extra Bank Holiday on 4 June.

Cook’s comments came during questions in the Commons, after
Labour MP Peter Pike told him: “You might be surprised to find that many
mean-minded employers have no intention to pay their hourly-paid workers for
the public holiday declared for the Queen’s Jubilee this year.”

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Mr Cook replied: “I would agree that, given that the Bank
Holiday declared for Tuesday, 4 June, is to commemorate the jubilee of Her
Majesty, we would expect all patriotic employers to make sure their employees
could enjoy that day and enjoy that day with pay.”

By Quentin Reade