The shadow Business Secretary has called on British workers to emulate their "more productive" counterparts in France to boost the UK’s economy.

Chuka Umunna claimed employees in France and Germany completed work that would take the entire working week in Britain by Thursday afternoon.

“The issue isn't just that we have more employment but the nature of the work,” he told BBC Radio 4’s Today Programme.

“Too much of our work is low paid, it isn't secure, we don't have high skilled jobs. We have got to deal with the productivity problem in this country.

Hollande brought in a 75% super-tax as an act of 'social justice' and 'patriotism' but later revoked it (Reuters)

“It takes on average a British worker to Friday to do what equivalent workers in Germany and France will complete by the end of Thursday afternoon.”

The Labour MP said that people needed “the right skills” to fulfil a range of jobs that boost the economy.

He continued: "They (France and Germany) are actually more productive than us.

“People can say what they want about France but ultimately coming back to the UK we have got to make sure we are more productive and that means we need more long-term investment and reform to our economy."

France has a reputation for strikes, including last summer's walk-out by air traffic strike controllers that grounded hundreds of flights (AFP/Getty Images)

A spokesperson for Mr Umunna said he did not mean that Britain should be more like France.

“Chuka was simply making the observation that despite our many strengths, compared with other major European economies Britain lags behind our competitors on productivity," he said. "That’s why today Labour is launching its better plan for prosperity to boost the number of better-paid, high skilled jobs.”

France is usually derided by right-wing politicians and big business leaders for its strict laws on working hours, minimum wages, contracts and high taxation that they argue hinders growth.

Speaking out against the possibility of Ed Miliband becoming Prime Minister, Bank of America Merrill Lynch last week said a Labour government would leave Britain looking “increasingly like France".

Election Analysis: The Key Voters Show all 6 1 /6 Election Analysis: The Key Voters Election Analysis: The Key Voters Settled Silvers These are the comfortably-off over-60s, still in work or drawing a decent pension – or both – who are enjoying their entitlements such as the Winter Fuel Allowance, free bus passes and free TV licence. They are worried about immigration and Europe. Both the Conservatives – who are pledging to keep benefits for wealthier pensioners – and Ukip want their votes Micha Theiner Election Analysis: The Key Voters Squeezed Semis Slightly older than the Harassed Hipsters, they are the second key group for Labour’s family-focused election strategy. They are married couples on low to middle incomes who own unpretentious semi-detached homes in suburban areas. In 2001, these were the Pebbledash People sought by the Conservatives. Now the pebbledash is gone and a modest conservatory has been built at the back Micha Theiner Election Analysis: The Key Voters Aldi Woman In 1997 and 2001 she was Worcester Woman – a middle-class Middle Englander shopping at Marks & Spencer and Waitrose. Today, the age of austerity means she still goes to Waitrose for her basic food shop but cannily switches to Aldi for her luxury bargains such as Parma ham and prosecco. Identified by Caroline Flint, she is a key target of both Labour and the Conservatives Micha Theiner Election Analysis: The Key Voters Glass Ceiling Woman In her thirties or forties, she has an established career under her belt, perhaps in the “marzipan layer” – one position below the still male-dominated senior executive level. She is now, according to Nick Clegg, forced into making the “heart-breaking choice” between staying at home to bring up her children and going to work and forking out for high-cost, round-the-clock childcare Election Analysis: The Key Voters Harassed Hipsters One of the two key groups identified by Labour as crucial to hand Ed Miliband the keys to Downing Street. Well-paid professional couples, often with children, they live in diverse urban and metropolitan areas rather than the suburbs. More comfortably off than most swing voters, they are time poor – struggling to balance raising a young family with busy work schedules Micha Theiner Election Analysis: The Key Voters Neo-Greens These are mainly first-time voters, though some are in their twenties – students and digital-age generation renters helping to fuel the “Green Surge”. Idealists, but with no tribal loyalty to any party, they are anti-austerity, middle class, living in urban areas. Despite studying at university or recently graduated, they are struggling to find decent jobs and want cheaper housing and a higher minimum wage Micha Theiner

Mr Umunna was also questioned on whether his party took donations from tax dodgers as the row about HSBC’s alleged Swiss schemes continues.

Pressed repeatedly on whether Labour would hand back money if it was found to have come from someone who had been involved in aggressive tax avoidance, Mr Umunna said: “I think the Labour Party, if it found out somebody was engaged in aggressive tax avoidance, would think twice before taking the money.”

He added: “I'm not aware that we have received any monies from people engaging in aggressive tax avoidance.”