First Minister Michelle O'Neill has said the Democratic Unionist Party is blocking the Good Jobs Bill after it stalled at an Executive meeting on Thursday.

The legislation, introduced by Sinn Féin Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald, seeks to reform employment law in Northern Ireland. It would give trade unions a right to request access to workplaces to meet workers for recruitment and representation, with employers unable to withhold access unreasonably.

DUP Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly had earlier described the proposals as insufficiently developed and said no business in Northern Ireland supported the trade union access measures. She claimed the clauses went further than anywhere else in the UK or European Union. The party previously offered to back the bill if the union access provisions were removed.

Ms O'Neill expressed disappointment but said she remained hopeful the bill could advance before the next Assembly election in May. She said the DUP's stance was denying rights to workers and women in the workplace.

The bill also includes measures aimed at improving conditions for zero-hours contract workers, carers, and parents seeking neonatal leave.

Trade unions have accused the DUP of turning its back on more than a million workers by opposing the legislation.