Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald has today announced ambitious plans for a substantial overhaul of employment legislation in Northern Ireland, marking what she described as the most significant upgrade in this area since the Good Friday Agreement.

Speaking in the Assembly, the Minister outlined proposals for a comprehensive Employment Bill, which will be supported by secondary legislation, statutory Codes of Practice, and guidance. These proposals are the result of a public consultation conducted last year to gather views on potential updates to existing employment law.

Dr Archibald emphasised the broad benefits of her "Good Jobs agenda," stating: "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 wide-ranging reforms, which will now be presented to the Executive for agreement, are centred around four key themes: terms of employment, pay and benefits, voice and representation, and work-life balance. Key proposals within the Employment Bill include measures to:

• End exploitative zero-hours contracts: Aiming to provide greater security and predictability for workers. • Enhance protections for agency workers: Seeking to ensure fairer treatment and working conditions.

• End abuse of fire and rehire tactics: Protecting employees from being forced to accept less favourable terms.

• Ensure tips left to workers are passed on in full: Guaranteeing that staff receive the gratuities they earn.

• Modernise the trade union framework: Updating legislation to reflect contemporary working practices.

• Make it easier to attain flexible working: Promoting a better work-life balance for employees.

• Enhance rights to family-related leave: Including the introduction of carer's leave, as well as neonatal leave and pay to support families.

Minister Archibald asserted that the proposals strike a balance between the needs of employees and employers. "These proposals provide a balanced approach which will ensure our employment law framework works effectively for both workers and employers in the modern era."

Concluding her statement, the Minister underscored the significance of the proposed changes. "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 proposals will now move to the Executive for consideration and agreement before progressing through the legislative process. If approved, these reforms would represent a substantial shift in Northern Ireland's employment law landscape.