UK legislation has until now prohibited employers from turning to agency workers to fill gaps during industrial action. However, as the UK grapples with a historic rail strike that risks bringing the country to a halt, the government announced on 23 June an amendment to Section 7 of the 2003 Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations, which will allow them to do so. This change, which will take effect in the coming weeks, has outraged not only the unions but also temporary employment agencies.
The change to legislation, which is awaiting the formality of being approved by parliament, will enable employers to hire skilled agency workers – at the last minute and for short periods – in the event of strike action, the government says.
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