FANCY TWO WEEKS’ extra paid holiday every year? The people of Switzerland didn’t – they appear to have resoundingly rejected the proposals in a national referendum yesterday and today.

Swiss citizens were voting on several nationwide measures, including one which would have increased the statutory minimum paid holiday allowance from four weeks a year to six.

But an exit poll by state broadcaster SSR showed voters rejecting the extra holiday time by a two-to-one majority, according to Europe Online.

The campaign for extra holidays had been led by union Travail Suisse. However the government and business organisations pushed against it strongly, publishing posters which showed empty hospitals and reading “More holiday – fewer jobs”.

A poll in late February showed that young people were enthusiastic about the extra time off, while older people tended to oppose it, DPA reports.

The move comes as governments across Europe attempt to tighten employment law and impose austerity measures on citizens.