Polish leaders may seek law to prohibit striking

November 30, 1981

Polish leaders are expected to ask parliament this week for drastic new laws that may include an outright ban on strikes. The Communist Party's Central Committee has resolved that the party needs special powers to counter ''destructive actions.'' Sources say the parliament will be convened to consider the request for special powers and possibly also to declare a state of emergency.

The parliament has twice backed down from requests to outlaw strikes since Polish workers won the right in August 1980. The trade union Solidarity has made clear it will not submit meekly to such a law.