Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald’s partial U-turn on the controversial Good Jobs Bill has been welcomed in a joint statement from the CBI NI, Employers Federation Northern Ireland, FSB NI, IOD NI, Manufacturing NI and NI Chamber. But the business organisations are warning that significant concerns remain.
And, of course, the Bill may not go through the legislative process as quickly as expected following concerns expressed by the DUP at Stormont last week.
“We welcome the Minister’s decision to exempt micro-businesses from the proposed trade union access provisions. This recognises the pressures facing our smallest employers, but it does not address the wider concerns the Employment Rights Bill continues to raise for businesses of all sizes,” said the business organisations’ statement.
“We have spent the last decade navigating low growth, EU exit, the pandemic and sustained cost pressures. These are not abstract challenges; they shape decisions on investment, recruitment and growth every day.
“We continually test and assess the mood of those we represent, including in this past week. We have a responsibility to speak honestly on their behalf. Small, large, homegrown and FDI employers accept that employment laws should be updated but as has been heard directly by the Minister and the Department, they have not been convinced and remain alarmed at some of the proposals.
“Our concern remains that legislation of this scale cannot be properly scrutinised within the time available, given its potentially far-reaching consequences for employers and employees alike. We have now learned that much of the detail, including the legal requirements on employers, will be left to secondary legislation, meaning key aspects of the framework may never receive the full and transparent consultation and Assembly scrutiny that proposals of this significance require.
“Issues remain across several areas but, on trade union access, there remains deep concern that the proposals go well beyond international norms and, even with Friday’s proposed easement, it would remain one of the most expansive workplace access regimes anywhere in the world.
“If any statutory rights of access are to be considered, they must be matched by equivalent legal protections for frontline managers and staff. The final framework must include robust and workable safeguards for employers in primary legislation, and there remains a need for much more engagement on both trade union access and recognition.
“We all want to see good legislation which improves protections for employees and for good firms. Getting this law right is important so we continue to press for a balanced and workable approach that supports constructive employee relations while safeguarding Northern Ireland as a place to invest, grow and create jobs.
“We have written to the Minister seeking an urgent meeting with the 22 signatories to our April 2026 letter so that the business community can engage directly and constructively on the significant issues this Bill still presents.”
Late last week, the Minister announced that she had re-worked her controversial Good Jobs Bill in the wake of stinging criticism from the Northern Ireland business community.
The Minister announced that following ongoing engagement with businesses and trade unions across the north, she will update the proposals relating to trade union access in the Good Jobs Bill.
Where the proposal was originally to introduce a new right for trade unions to request access to all workplaces, an exemption will now be included for smaller businesses with fewer than 10 employees.
Her original proposals caused major concern within the local small business communit.
Announcing the update, Minister Archibald said: “In taking forward this piece of legislation I have always been clear that I will listen to everyone.
“What I’m announcing today is a direct response to the conversations I am continuing to have with employer representatives, trade unions and others.”
Emphasising that the Good Jobs Bill has been shaped through ongoing consultation and will continue to evolve as it progresses through scrutiny, Minister Archibald added: “This is about getting the balance right – supporting strong worker voice and fair workplaces, while ensuring businesses can continue to succeed.
“It is now time for the Bill to move to the floor of the Assembly for detailed scrutiny. Ultimately, this landmark legislation is about creating the right conditions for more good jobs that provide security, fair pay and opportunity for all.”
The Minister’s change of mind has been welcomed in a joint statement from the CBI NI, Employers Federation Northern Ireland, FSB NI, IOD NI, Manufacturing NI and NI Chamber. But they are warning that significant concerns remain.
“We welcome the Minister’s decision to exempt micro-businesses from the proposed trade union access provisions. This recognises the pressures facing our smallest employers, but it does not address the wider concerns the Employment Rights Bill continues to raise for businesses of all sizes.
“We have spent the last decade navigating low growth, EU exit, the pandemic and sustained cost pressures. These are not abstract challenges; they shape decisions on investment, recruitment and growth every day.
“We continually test and assess the mood of those we represent, including in this past week. We have a responsibility to speak honestly on their behalf. Small, large, homegrown and FDI employers accept that employment laws should be updated but as has been heard directly by the Minister and the Department, they have not been convinced and remain alarmed at some of the proposals.
“Our concern remains that legislation of this scale cannot be properly scrutinised within the time available, given its potentially far-reaching consequences for employers and employees alike. We have now learned that much of the detail, including the legal requirements on employers, will be left to secondary legislation, meaning key aspects of the framework may never receive the full and transparent consultation and Assembly scrutiny that proposals of this significance require.
“Issues remain across several areas but, on trade union access, there remains deep concern that the proposals go well beyond international norms and, even with Friday’s proposed easement, it would remain one of the most expansive workplace access regimes anywhere in the world.
“If any statutory rights of access are to be considered, they must be matched by equivalent legal protections for frontline managers and staff. The final framework must include robust and workable safeguards for employers in primary legislation, and there remains a need for much more engagement on both trade union access and recognition.
“We all want to see good legislation which improves protections for employees and for good firms. Getting this law right is important so we continue to press for a balanced and workable approach that supports constructive employee relations while safeguarding Northern Ireland as a place to invest, grow and create jobs.
“We have written to the Minister seeking an urgent meeting with the 22 signatories to our April 2026 letter so that the business community can engage directly and constructively on the significant issues this Bill still presents.”