Manufacturers and businesses urged to engage on “Good Jobs Bill” that could transform the workplace
Manufacturing Northern Ireland to host Townhall event to look at the sweeping changes in employment law in Northern Ireland are being proposed by the “Good Jobs” Bill, which is due before the Northern Ireland Assembly early in the New Year.
The legislation proposes major updates to workplace rules covering:
- Terms of employment
- Pay and benefits
- Voice and representation, including enhanced union rights
- Work–life balance.
While many manufacturers already meet or exceed the proposed standards, concern is growing around elements of the Voice and Representation reforms, which include:
- Reducing the threshold for union recognition from 21 to 10 workers.
- Giving unions direct physical and digital access to workplaces to recruit members.
- Expanding collective bargaining rights across industries.
- Allowing electronic balloting.
- Lowering the threshold to request Information and Consultation (ICE) agreements from 10% to 2% of employees.
To help employers understand and prepare for the reforms, Manufacturing NI will host a Townhall Meeting at 12pm on Wednesday 3rd December in the Glenavon House Hotel, Cookstown, where the Economy Minister will outline the Bill and take questions directly from businesses. Lunch will be provided.
Stephen Kelly, Manufacturing NI Chief Executive outlined the importance of manufacturing firms understanding the implications of the Good Jobs Bill:
“Northern Ireland’s manufacturing firms are proud to provide quality jobs and lead on fair conditions, and most companies deliver standards that this bill promotes, but it’s important that people understand how these reforms can go further, and some of changes will reshape how businesses operate, negotiate and communicate with their teams.
“It’s essential that employers are given a full understanding of what’s proposed, as well as having a strong voice in how these changes are implemented. Attending this townhall event will ensure that the sector has a chance to engage directly with the Minister before this legislation is passed.”
To register for “Union Rights & Recognition in Your Workplace”, please visit:
www.manufacturingni.org/events.
• Manufacturing NI is a campaigning organisation which works with member companies, workforce representatives, policymakers and regulators to challenge and encourage change in areas which impact on the cost of doing business, specifically rates, energy, labour, trade and innovation.
• Founded in the early 2000’s, they actively support all types of manufacturing businesses in Northern Ireland, from micro and family-run firms to innovative SMEs and global exporters. As a manufacturer-led organisation, they focus on what matters most: helping businesses navigate challenges, reduce costs and unlock opportunities.
• The “Good Jobs Bill” is to be introduced to the NI Assembly in early 2026. It aims to overhaul important employment rights in Northern Ireland, by tackling exploitative zero-hour contracts improving pay transparency, strengthening agency worker protections, expanding day one written contracts, and introducing new family and neonatal leave rights, amongst other areas
