Peter McGuire Workers Party Representative says as the Employment Rights Bill has passed its final stages in Westminster The Executive should be preparing to introduce it here.
Mr McGuire said although there were changes that the Workers Party does not agree with. The end to zero hour contracts and the precarious employment practices will benefit low paid workers .
He added the end to the anti-trade union laws will make it easier for workers to join unions and strengthen collective bargaining. Sick pay from the first day will benefit workers especially in those sectors where the work is heavy and in unhealthy environments. It contains protections for pregnant women and new mothers . It also includes protections for those workers who take industrial action.
The Workers Party is calling on the Northern Ireland Assembly to introduce this legislation in Northern Ireland as soon as the employment rights bill becomes law. Whistleblowing protection for sexual harassment is expected to become a ‘qualifying disclosure’ this will mean protection from detriment and unfair dismissal for whistleblowers making a sexual harassment disclosure.
All of these rights including gender pay-gap action plans will need to be accompanied by detailed evaluation procedures and timelines to ensure implementation and real progress in eradicating the gender pay-gap and closing any loopholes that allows employers to circumvent the legislation as has happened in the past. The Workers Party supports the working class and their right to organise, strong, unionised , workplaces. It is time for workers in Northern Ireland to have the same rights as other regions of the United Kingdom.