Essential services

Essential services may refer to a class of occupations that have been legislated by a government to have special restrictions in regard to labour actions such as not being allowed to strike.

The International Labour Office, a United Nations agency, distinguishes an essential service from a minimum service.^[1]

Industries defined as essential services differ based on the organization or government but generally include services such as hospitals and other healthcare, utilities such as electricity and water supply, law enforcement and firefighting, and food services.

^ International Labour Organization Archived October 24, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, Freedom of association – Digest of decisions and principles of the Freedom of Association Committee of the Governing Body of the ILO. Fifth (revised) edition, 2006.

[Freedom_of_association,_Fifth_(revised)_edition,_2006-1] International Labour Organization Archived October 24, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, Freedom of association – Digest of decisions and principles of the Freedom of Association Committee of the Governing Body of the ILO. Fifth (revised) edition, 2006.

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