The new regulations on holidays came into effect on April 1st. The additional paid leave entitlement is particularly important in the construction industry where companies have been traditionally reluctant to pay workers for any annual leave.

Alan Ritchie, general secretary of construction union UCATT, said: "The extra holiday that construction workers are now entitled to is a major step forward. Construction is an industry where many bosses have to be dragged kicking and screaming into the 21st Century. If they thought they could get away with it many companies would pay their workers no benefits whatsoever."

UCATT will be campaigning to ensure that all construction workers are given the additional leave entitlement. Despite it being compulsory, many companies have previously gone to extraordinary lengths to prevent construction workers receiving paid holidays.