Workers rights being ‘held to ransom’ at Stormont Executive table – union leader

Workers rights are being “held to ransom” at the Stormont Executive’s table, a prominent trade union leader has said.

ICTU assistant general secretary Gerry Murphy claimed there is a “deepening Irish Sea Border” when it comes to workers’ rights while proposed legislation to reform employment law continues to be blocked.

The DUP has expressed concern with aspects of the Good Jobs Employment Rights Bill and opposed it being brought to the Assembly.

The DUP has suggested splitting the Bill, saying it would sign off on many aspects of Sinn Féin’s flagship employment rights proposals if the party removed the trade union provisions.

Meanwhile, the Labour government’s Employment Rights Act 2025 is beginning to take effect across England, Scotland and Wales.

Mr Murphy also hit back at criticism that the workers rights aspects of the proposed Bill are “extreme”.

“While workers’ rights in Northern Ireland are being held to ransom at the NI Executive table, they are already being rolled out across Great Britain,” he said.

“The UK government came to power six months after the restoration of the Northern Ireland Executive, yet we are told by our political leaders that there isn’t enough time to introduce these rights in here.

“We have been also told by our political leaders that new trade union rights contained within the Good Jobs Bill are ‘extreme’ yet workers across the rest of the United Kingdom will be enjoying these very same rights in October.”

He added: “Good legislation is often complex – that isn’t a reason to block it.

“There is nothing extreme about enabling workers to access a trade union in their workplace. It is the norm across Europe and it will now be the norm across the rest of the United Kingdom.”

“These are the rights being cited by business lobbyists who have succeeded in creating panic and confusion in order stymie progress on the Good Jobs Bill.

“The workers’ rights sea border is expanding with every passing month. This is a slap in the face of every worker whatever their political viewpoint.

“There must be no sea border for workers’ rights.”