Almost 80pc favour scrapping holiday distinctions between blue-collar and white-collar workers

Nearly four out of five people in the TNS/SCMP survey agree that all employees - blue- and white-collar workers - should enjoy the 17 statutory paid holidays.

But only 54 per cent of the 1,000 people surveyed support the introduction of legislation to make a five-day working week compulsory, while 41 per cent disagree.

Seventy-nine per cent said the government should give all workers the full 17 days off, compared with 16 per cent who thought otherwise.

About two million workers in Hong Kong - or 60 per cent of the 3.5 million total - are entitled to only 12 paid public holidays a year, said the Confederation of Trade Unions. Most work in the catering, retail, transport and building sectors while many office workers get 17 paid public holidays off a year.

The Employment Ordinance states employees are allowed 12 statutory paid public holidays. The other five days - Good Friday, Easter Saturday, Easter Monday, Buddha's Birthday and Boxing Day - are not a requirement.

The confederation wants to scrap the practice of having separate holidays for blue-collar and white-collar workers.

Wong Kwok-hing, a lawmaker from the Federation of Trade Unions, noted that many employers opposed allowing blue-collar workers the extra days.