More than 430,000 workers in the South-East will not receive holiday pay if they take off Good Friday or Easter Monday this weekend.
The TUC also warned many more would have to work the bank holiday weekend.
UK workers have no statutory right to take bank holidays off or to to be paid if they do.
Staff also have no right to be paid a special rate for working bank holidays.
Britain is the only EU country which allows employers to count bank holidays as part of the statutory four weeks' paid holiday.
Mick Connolly, TUC southern and eastern secretary, said: "While most of us will be enjoying a well earned break, thousands will be hot and cross about working or losing two days' pay this weekend."
The TUC is calling on the Government to introduce a statutory right to be paid.
It is also calling for three new bank holidays to bring the UK up to the EU average.
Thursday April 17 2003
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