The US is the only industrialised country not to have such a system, according to the National Partnership for Women & Families, which asked industry bosses to speak out. It estimates 10 million US citizens stopped work during the pandemic to care for loved ones.

Mr Bergh (pictured), who is shown alongside business leaders such as Patagonia CEO Jenna Johnson, said: “Paid family and medical leave is key to our long-term health and to our economic stability.”

Melinda French Gates added: “Our country’s caregiving system is broken, and it’s taken its toll on the economy, families and society.”