Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses (Amendment) Regulations 2022: Easing the Pressure During Strike Action
Monday 18th July 2022
Strikes took place on the railways in late June, causing widespread disruption to passengers and businesses. Further strikes will take place in August. It didn’t take long for the government to respond. The new legislation came into force on 21 July 2022.
A quick introduction to the Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses (Amendment) Regulations 2022
Until the middle of last month, it was a criminal offence for employment businesses to provide temporary agency workers to an employer to perform the duties of those taking part in an official strike or official industrial action. Specifically, by reason of reg 7 of the Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations 2003 in any official strike action, it was unlawful to supply agency labour to fill the gaps created by striking workers.
From 21 July 2022 the Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses (Amendment) Regulations 2022, changed this. The new regulation has, very simply, struck out regulation 7 entirely. This means that agency workers can now be lawfully provided to cover official strike/industrial action.
Where does the law currently stand?
As mentioned, the legislation came into effect on 21 July 2022.
