The British government is working on a law introducing minimum service provisions in various sectors, Business Minister Grant Shapps told media outlets on Thursday as the UK experienced a series of strikes, mainly for wage increases to offset high inflation.
The incoming law is aimed at mitigating the effects of strikes on basic services, according to the British authorities.
Minimum safety levels are needed that the population can count on, even in the event of a strike, especially the health sector, Shapps explained. Other modern economies in Europe all have minimum safety levels, he noted, stressing that the UK will introduce that into law as well.
In recent weeks and months, there have been numerous strikes, especially on the UK's railroads, but also among ambulance drivers and nurses, for example. This has placed added strain on the British health system, which was already under pressure.
Tougher stance on strikes
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s government is maintaining a sharper tone on strikes, saying for example that it will not respond to demands for higher health sector wages and that the army will be called in if necessary. Before the Christmas recess, the conservative prime minister promised tough new laws to address the impact of the strikes.
Shapps now says the minimum service provision will be introduced in many sectors and that the law will soon go to parliament.
Among other things, it will mean that companies will be able to sue unions if they do not provide minimum fire, rail or ambulance services during strikes, according to the BBC.
However, the measure will not necessarily solve the current strikes: unions have condemned the planned provision and are threatening to go to court over it.
For its part, the opposition Labour Party has promised to roll back any such law.
