THOUSANDS of people across Hampshire are losing out on their holiday rights.

New figures published by the trade union TUC show that 241,178 employees in the South East are missing out on their minimum legal entitlement to paid holidays.

The region is one of the most affected in the country with people working in the arts and entertainment industries missing out the most (13.9 per cent), followed by accommodation and food (12.5 per cent), administration and support services (9.2 per cent) and construction (8.1 per cent).

In contrast, the figure for the finance and insurance sector is only 1.9 per cent and for public administration and defence it is only 2.8 per cent.

The TUC warns that it has become easier for bad employers to get away with denying workers their full holiday pay since employment tribunal fees were introduced.

South East TUC regional secretary Megan Dobney said: “As people head off on their holidays, spare a thought for those still stuck at work with bad bosses who break the law by denying staff their full holiday.

“Some employers deliberately stop staff from taking the leave and holiday pay they’re entitled to, whereas other workers lose out from poor management and failure to keep up with the law.

“Workers should not be cheated out of their holidays through illegal and unfair practices by employers. We are in danger of seeing a burnout Britain where workersgive up their holidays.”