The move follows the failure so far of a mediation panel set up to arbitrate in the dispute to find a solution. Vanhanen confirmed both sides remain far apart with little progress being made on pay
The government has decided on introducing legislation to maintain patient safety. The Prime Minister has called on parliamentarians to support the measure.
If the Union of Health and Social Care Professionals' goes ahead with the planned mass resignations of hospital nurses, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health says patients could die within the first hours of the dispute.
Meanwhile some hospitals have already started the closure of certain wards and letters have been sent to patients cancelling forthcoming surgical procedures.
YLE
