02/06/2008

NI Jobs Law To Change

Consultations containing proposals to strengthen employment agency enforcement powers and amend trade union law to address a European Court decision in Northern Ireland have been announced.

The NI Employment Minister Sir Reg Empey today launched the two public consultations on changes to employment law.

He said that the employment agency proposals seek to strengthen the Department for Employment and Learning's ability to prosecute the small number of rogue agencies that abuse vulnerable workers and undermine the vast majority of reputable agencies.

The main aim of the trade union proposals is to address a decision by the European Court of Human Rights, which concluded trade unions should have more autonomy to decide their membership.

The Minister is keen to hear the views of those affected and said: "These proposals will impact on a wide range of individuals and organisations, such as agency workers, employment agencies, trade unions and their members.

"I want to encourage those affected to share their views with my department and help to ensure that the proposed changes meet their objectives."

(BMcC)

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