Assembly Confirms Blacklisting Regulations

The Northern Ireland Assembly has confirmed regulations that make it unlawful to blacklist workers from employment because of union membership or activities.

Minister for Employment and Learning Dr Stephen Farry received Assembly approval for The Employment Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 (Blacklists) Regulations (Northern Ireland), which came into operation on 6 April 2014.

Under the Regulations, it is now unlawful to compile, use, sell or supply blacklists containing details of people who are, or have been, trade union members or who are taking part, or have taken part, in trade union activities.

The legislation gives courts the power to award damages, including for injury to feelings.

Dr Farry said: "Employers recognise the important role of employees and workers in helping businesses to grow. It is appropriate that employers vet prospective employees, provided such vetting is proportionate and complies with employment law and data protection principles.

"The Regulations have been specifically designed to target only activity that involves trade union membership and activities and which is intended to enable discrimination on those grounds to occur. They will not interfere with normal listing or vetting practices."

The move follows an Information Commissioner investigation that reveals some construction companies identified as blacklisting workers because of union activity were linked to Northern Ireland.

(IT/CD)