In England we've got fewer "bank holidays" than in most if not all other European countries, so it's not quite the same.

Cutting down holidays to "raise productivity" seems a pretty daft idea to me. I'm sure that people more than make up for that kind of thing by feeling more entitled to skive off at other times. I'd be very surprised if there was any overall "increased productivity". Even aside from the fact that I think it wouldn't be worth it even if there was.

One suggestion going around these days is introducing prayer breaks to take account of practicing Muslims. I would hope that most workers would welcome the idea, as a way of defending and extending the tradition of tea-breaks for all.