Huge support for NI employment law changes

The Good Jobs Bill is the largest change in Northern Ireland employment law for more than 25 years and contains a range of provisions which cover areas such as zero-hours contracts, employment rights and regulating fire and rehire practices.

A number of the provisions will bring Northern Ireland in line with Great Britain on areas such as carers’ leave and day-one rights to parental leave, but in many areas the Northern Ireland law is better for workers than the recent Employment Rights Act which received Royal Assent last December.

For trade unions too, there are proposals which will increase visibility and access including the right to request access – which employers will not be able to unreasonably refuse. The statutory recognition threshold will be lowered from 21 to 10, enabling employees in smaller employers to avail of the benefits and protection of trade union membership. There will also be no time limit to the protection for employees from dismissal while taking part in industrial action.

Whilst trade unions did not get everything they wanted in the bill, it represents a serious step forward in protecting people in work and growing trade union membership in Northern Ireland.

Jacqui White, Chair of the Northern Ireland Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions said “The level of support across the board for these proposals makes the Good Jobs Bill an easy ‘win’ for all political representatives.

“This delivers a practical approach to improving the economy, improving productivity and improving working lives.”