MUSLIMS working at the Royal Mail depot in Filton have complained they are not being allowed time off for a religious holiday today.

The majority of employees have been given leave for Eid ul-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting.

But some are upset after being told they will have to come in to work. One night-shift worker, who was given unpaid leave for his sorting office shift tonight, told the Evening Post: "For Eid, we usually celebrate with our families. We will go to prayer at 8pm then go home for a big meal after fasting for Ramadan.

"I have worked for Royal Mail for a number of years and this is the first year there has been a problem. They have always allowed us special leave, paid or unpaid. We have about 15 Somalians working the night shift, plus people from India and Pakistan who are Muslims.

"Everyone gave Royal Mail two weeks' notice but they said for this time it is fully booked. We have also been told by the bosses it's about efficiency.

"They said we are going to have to give them warning in advance for next year's Eid."

The three shifts at the depot are 6.30am-2.30pm, 2pm-10pm and 10.30pm-6.30am.

It is thought up to 50 Muslims working at the depot off the A38 would have requested time off.

The worker who spoke to the Post, and asked not to be named, feared the same problem could happen again for Eid al-Adha, another religious celebration, in November.

Kayse Maxamad, editor of the Somali Voice newspaper, said: "I work full-time for the NHS and they have given me the day off. I am working an extra two hours a day for four days to make up the time.

"I think all employers should honour religious holidays like Eid."

Royal Mail spokeswoman Jaquie Stenson said: "Royal Mail's policy is to support our people by providing time and facilities for religious or belief observance whenever possible.

"However, as with all requests for time off, we have to ensure that we have sufficient resource to maintain the level of service our customers have paid for. We have managed to accommodate the majority of leave, but regrettably on this occasion we do not have enough additional staffing to meet all the requests without compromising service to our customers."