The Democratic Unionist Party blocked the Good Jobs Bill during a meeting of the Northern Ireland Executive last week. The legislation, proposed by Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald, would introduce new employment protections.

The bill includes measures to make it easier for trade unions to represent workers, replace zero‑hour contracts, safeguard employees’ tips and gratuities, extend neonatal leave and pay, improve paternity entitlements, and strengthen redundancy rights for pregnant workers.

The DUP stated that more time was needed to scrutinise the legislation before it could support its passage through the Executive.