24 April 2023 , 23:01
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More than 100 politicians from around the world have called on the government to drop its “Sack the Nurses Bill”.
A joint statement signed by 121 politicians from 18 countries including Australia, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, and Spain has condemned the attack on the right to strike.
The Strikes Bill, which will be debated in the Lords tomorrow, could see public sector workers including nurses sacked for going on strike.
UK ministers have repeatedly named France, Italy and Spain as countries they are supposed to be emulating through the legislation.
But the joint statement – signed by politicians from these countries – dismissed the similarities. “We reject the UK government’s attempt to limit workers’ rights and its attempt to justify it with comparisons to international norms,” they wrote.
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“The UK already has some of the most draconian restrictions on trade unions anywhere in the democratic world and workers in the UK are faced with disproportionate regulatory hurdles before participation in a strike can be considered legal.”
TUC boss Paul Nowak said anti-strike legislation is "undemocratic, unworkable and almost certainly illegal" (PA)TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak said: "The right to strike is a fundamental freedom – but the Conservative government is attacking it in broad daylight.
“The UK already has some of the most restrictive anti-union laws in Europe.
“Over 100 politicians around the world have condemned this Bill. They know it will only drag the UK even further away from democratic norms.
“This legislation would mean that when workers democratically vote to strike, they could be forced to work and sacked if they don’t comply.
"It's undemocratic, unworkable and almost certainly illegal.
“And crucially, it could poison industrial relations and exacerbate disputes rather than help resolve them.
“No one should be sacked for defending their pay and conditions, and trying to win a better deal at work.
“It's time for ministers to drop this spiteful bill and protect the right to strike.”
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