When it comes to having a good job, is there anything more important than pay? And how can we address cost of living issues whilst not ignoring the cost of doing business in Northern Ireland?
These are some of the questions posed to an international audience today at the Labour Relations Agency’s ‘Let’s Talk About Pay’ conference.
Employment Relations Agencies from New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, UK and Ireland came together with local stakeholders to discuss the importance of pay to a thriving Northern Ireland economy. They shared useful examples and experiences from their countries when it comes to shaping pay policy.
Economy Minister, Dr Caoimhe Archibald, MLA provided the opening address. Speaking at the event, Minister Archibald said: “We use all sorts of indicators to assess economic performance, but what ultimately matters to people is the pay they take home.
“That is why my Department is working at pace to bring new Good Jobs Employment Legislation. This will strengthen the role of trade unions and help ensure pay provides workers and their families with a decent standard of living.”
Welcoming the local and international delegates Labour Relations Agency Chief Executive, Mark McAllister said: “My 25 years’ experience have shown me that we fall out about three things in work and that’s policies, people and pay. We spend a lot of time talking about how people get along and whether policies adhere to employment law and are fit for purpose. We don’t talk much about pay.”
Mark added: “In some regards pay is the policy elephant in the room but the Good Jobs Agenda will look at things such the voluntary living wage and what the future may hold, as well as sectoral fair pay agreements and increased coverage of collective bargaining. These topics have almost become taboo due to the battle between the cost of doing business and the cost of living. Today’s conference is about dispelling that taboo.”
The audience heard from Dr Andrew Dallas, Chief of the New Zealand Employment Relations Authority who talked about the history of pay bargaining in NZ and Professor Patricia Findlay, Co-Chair of Scotland’s Fair Work Convention who talked about the role of pay in fair work. Offering other perspectives was Owen Reidy, General Secretary of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, who presented on the Adequate Minimum Wage Directive and Article 4 on Promoting Collective Bargaining in Ireland. And last to the podium was Dr Lisa Wilson, Senior Economist at the Nevin Economic Research Institute, who talked about Job Quality and Pay in Northern Ireland.
Thanking the speakers and delegates for their participation in the various polls, questions and panel discussion, Mark McAllister added: “The ideas and insights shared today will make an invaluable contribution to informing future policy decisions. The Labour Relations Agency now looks forward to working together with our sponsor Department for the Economy in the development of the ‘Good Jobs’ Employment Rights Bill for Northern Ireland – the first significant reform of employment law in years – and the overall Good Jobs Agenda.”