Dear First Minister and Deputy First Minister
Please circulate this correspondence to the ministers of the NI Executive
The Northern Ireland Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions notes with deep concern that the Good Jobs Employment Rights Bill has not yet been submitted to the Northern Ireland Assembly. The bill was discussed at the Northern Ireland Executive meeting on the 28th of May, yet more than a week later, no action has been taken.
We are acutely aware that, in order for the bill to become law, it must pass through all stages of legislative scrutiny before the end of the current Assembly’s mandate. If the current inaction by this Executive were to prevent that legislative process from taking place, we would regard this as a serious breach of trust and a failure of the Northern Ireland Executive to fulfil its own Programme for
Government commitments.
Employment legislation in Northern Ireland has already fallen well behind that which is in place in Great Britain. To prolong and entrench this inequity through delay and prevarication would represent an unconscionable dereliction of duty by the Northern Ireland Executive.
The reconstitution of the Executive in 2024 represented an opportunity to show that devolved government can make life in Northern Ireland better for all people who live and work here. If this Executive fails to progress the Good Jobs Bill, workers across Northern Ireland will have to seriously question whether the devolved institutions are capable of making an appreciable difference to their
standard of living.
The trade union movement in Northern Ireland would likewise be compelled to consider whether engaging with devolved government here is in the best interest of the thousands of workers we represent.
The Northern Ireland Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions is seeking an urgent meeting with the Northern Ireland Executive to progress the Good Jobs Bill before it is too late. We are clear that if this bill fails to progress, we will hold this Executive solely responsible for that failure. It will be for ministers of this Executive to account for their own action, or lack thereof, if that failure comes to pass.
Sincerely
Gerry Murphy
Assistant General Secretary
NI Committee Irish Congress of Trade Unions
Belfast
