DUP blocking Good Jobs Bill, says first minister

First Minister Michelle O'Neill has accused the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) of "continuing to block" legislation which aims to overhaul employment laws in Northern Ireland.

The Good Jobs Bill was discussed by executive ministers on Thursday, but the DUP has said it has no support among business groups and needs more consideration.

The DUP previously offered to support the bill if the proposed legislation was split and new trade union rights removed from it, a controversial aspect of the legislation.

O'Neill said her party was disappointed at being unable to "get it over the line" on Thursday, but held out hope that it can be progressed before the assembly election next May.

"The DUP continue to block this really important legislation getting over the line, this is about workers' rights, this is about supporting women in the workplace so I don't support their denial of rights," said the Sinn Féin vice-president.

"It's for the DUP to explain why they continue to block it."

The legislation, brought forward by Sinn Féin Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald, was listed for discussion at Thursday's meeting of executive ministers.

On Monday, DUP Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said the plans were "half-baked" and accused Sinn Féin of trying to "bully and bounce her" in to supporting the Good Jobs Bill.

Trade unions have in turn accused the DUP of "turning their backs" on more than a million workers.

Under the proposed bill trade unions would have greater access to workers and employment settings.

Currently, unions generally only have a right to enter a workplace if they are already recognised by the employer.

The bill would give unions a "right to request" access to meet with workers for recruitment and representation.

Access would not be automatic, but employers would not be permitted to "unreasonably" withhold it.

Some of those groups who the party said will benefit include workers on zero hours contracts, carers and parents seeking neonatal leave.

But speaking in the assembly earlier this week, the deputy first minister said she would not respond to the "aggressive attempt to bounce her".

On the trade union access clauses in the bill, she said: "These are the most aggressive and expansionist access to trade unions, not just in the UK and Ireland but across the European Union.

"There is not a single business across Northern Ireland which supports the minister's proposals," she added.