Good Jobs Employment Rights Bill

Everyone benefits from Good Jobs. Workers and their families benefit from a decent, more secure income. More people are encouraged to stay in or return to work and so employers benefit from a larger skills base. And communities benefit from a reduction in poverty and its associated societal problems.

My Good Jobs agenda involves supporting businesses to grow and become more productive (so that they are in a position to offer Good Jobs) and building our skills base (so that people are equipped to take up those jobs). It also involves strengthening employment legislation. The feedback from this consultation will inform an Employment Bill and a supporting programme of secondary legislation. It seeks views on four aspects of a Good Job as defined by the Carnegie Trust:

• Terms of Employment.
• Pay and benefits.
• Voice and representation.
• Work-life balance.

This is a large and detailed consultation which covers a wide range of possible interventions. Such ambition is important. However, I am mindful that our economy has many small and micro businesses which operate on tight margins and I want to ensure that they thrive. It is therefore important that the practicalities of potential changes are well thought through. I will therefore carefully consider the feedback provided to me before bringing forward a Bill. It is only through such dialogue that the Bill can deliver for workers, employers and for society as a whole.

I look forward to hearing your views.

Conor Murphy MLA

Minister for the Economy