Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald has warned that further delays to the Good Jobs Bill could hold up the introduction of paid neonatal care leave for parents of sick or premature babies in Northern Ireland. The legislation would give eligible parents up to 12 weeks of additional leave on top of standard maternity, paternity or shared parental entitlements, and would align with rights already available in Great Britain.

The bill requires agreement from the Democratic Unionist Party before it can be published and debated in the assembly. It has faced opposition from business organisations and criticism from some DUP MLAs. Last week the minister announced a concession exempting the smallest firms from one aspect of new trade union rights, but DUP concerns remain.

In a social media statement, Ms Archibald said she was greatly concerned that delay would prevent paid neonatal care leave from coming into effect, and she called for urgent executive agreement so the support could be provided to parents whose babies need neonatal care.

DUP economy spokesperson Phillip Brett accused the minister of using neonatal care leave as political leverage. He noted that equivalent provisions have been in place in England, Wales and Scotland since April 2025, and argued she could have introduced standalone legislation or brought the bill forward sooner. He described the handling of the legislation as showing little competence in governance.

A spokesperson for the Department for the Economy said if the bill does not progress to committee stage before the summer recess, it is unlikely the neonatal leave support will be deliverable in 2027.

The Irish Congress of Trades Unions has written to executive ministers warning that failure to progress the bill would be a serious breach of trust. The letter stated workers across Northern Ireland would question whether devolved institutions can make an appreciable difference to their standard of living, and the trade union movement would have to reconsider whether engaging with devolved government is in members' best interests.