January 11, 2023
1 min read

UK introduces laws to mitigate disruption of strikes on public

The UK has been in the grip of a wave of strikes, which started in summer 2022 and continued into this year, as inflation has stayed consistently high and pay rises failed to keep up…reports Asian Lite News

The government has introduced new laws that would enable it to set minimum levels of service during strikes to ensure the safety of the public and their access to public services.

In a bid to mitigate the disruptions caused by strikes, the bill would ensure that crucial public services, such as rail, ambulances and fire services, maintain a minimum service during industrial action, “reducing risk to life and ensuring the public can still get to work,” a government statement said on Tuesday.

“The first job of any government is to keep the public safe. Because whilst we absolutely believe in the ability to strike, we are duty-bound to protect the lives and livelihoods of the British people,” Business Secretary Grant Shapps said in the statement.

The UK has been in the grip of a wave of strikes, which started in summer 2022 and continued into this year, as inflation has stayed consistently high and pay rises failed to keep up. Rail workers and nurses were among those who staged the action, Xinhua news agency reported.

The government locked horns with the trade unions. It said the pay rises that unions had called for were unaffordable and higher pay would not help fight inflation. On Monday, government ministers and unions met, but the talks once again failed to change course.

The unions criticised the new legislation on Tuesday. This bill was “another dangerous gimmick” from a government that should be negotiating to resolve the current crisis, said General Secretary Sharon Graham of Unite, one of the largest trade unions in the UK.

“Evidence from abroad clearly shows this kind of legislation only forces unions to use other tactics, inflaming and prolonging disputes,” Graham added.

ALSO READ: Poll paints bleak picture for Sunak in 2024

Previous Story

Kishida, Sunak ink historic defence deal

Next Story

UK, SEC Thailand sign MoU on financial services

Latest from -Top News

AU Backs New UN Libya Roadmap

The Roadmap seeks to resolve the Libyan crisis through a political process centred on institutional unification…reports Asian Lite News The Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, has

Sudan Feels Impact of GERD

The GERD project remains a point of contention among Nile Basin countries….reports Asian Lite News Water levels in Sudan’s Blue Nile have fallen to record lows following Ethiopia’s announcement that it has

UNESCO sounds alarm on teacher gap

Amina Mohammed proposed a five-point plan to strengthen the profession through greater investment, gender equality, support for digital learning…reports Asian Lite News At the UNESCO World Summit on Teachers in Santiago, Chile,

Modi Ends China Trip, US Hails India Ties

US termed India-US ties as a “defining relationship of the 21st century”, stating that partnership between both countries continues to reach new heights….reports Asian Lite News Shortly after videos and images of
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Sharp fall in international applicants at UK universities

Between January and the end of July, the Home Office

Starmer pledges ‘serious plan’ for government

Throughout the 89-minute speech at the Labour Party conference, Sir