Economy Minister Dr has launched plans for a
major upgrade in employment law as part of her Good Jobs agenda.
In a statement delivered in the Assembly today, the Minister
outlined proposals for an Employment Bill, supported by secondary
legislation, statutory Codes of Practice, and guidance.
This follows a public consultation carried out last year which
sought views on potential updates to employment law.
Minister Archibald said: “Everyone benefits from
Good Jobs. Workers and families benefit from a decent wage.
Employers benefit from a larger, more productive workforce. And
the public finances will benefit from greater prosperity and a
reduction in poverty. That is why creating Good Jobs is one of
the key objectives in the Executive's Programme for
Government.”
The proposals, which will now be brought to the Executive for
agreement, cover four main themes – terms of employment, pay and
benefits, voice and representation, and work-life balance. The
wide-ranging reforms include proposals to:
- End exploitative zero hours contracts
- Enhance protections for agency workers
- End abuse of fire and rehire tactics
- Ensure tips left to workers are passed on to them in full
- Modernise our trade union framework
- Make it easier to attain flexible working
- Enhance rights to family-related leave, including the
introduction of carer's leave, as well as neonatal leave and pay
She continued: “These proposals provide a balanced
approach which will ensure our employment law framework works
effectively for both workers and employers in the modern
era.”
The Minister concluded: “This is an ambitious
package of reforms to employment law which will see the biggest
upgrade of our employment legislation since the Good Friday
Agreement.”
The Minister's statement and outcome of the consultation are
available on the Department's website at: https://www.economy-ni.gov.uk/publications/good-jobs-employment-rights-bill-public-consultation-response
