13/02/2003
Economy in good position says Kennedy
NIO Minister Jane Kennedy has told delegates at today’s Labour Relation’s Agency (LRA) conference in Belfast that the economy is in a "better position than many other parts of Great Britain".
During the meeting, Ms Kennedy highlighted what she described as "the positive improvements" in the Northern Ireland economy over the past decade.
"Northern Ireland is the most improved regional economy in the UK since 1990. Unemployment is down to 6% and has stabilised. Employment is up with 6,800 more jobs created over the past year," she said.
"A recent UK-wide survey by the CBI showed that business confidence here is robust with Northern Ireland being the only region where employers are anticipating taking on extra workers."
She said that Northern Ireland also has comparatively few working days lost through industrial action.
Chartering the significant progress being made here in the areas of employment law and relations, the Minister said: "The most recent substantial period of devolution clearly highlighted the added value of local political accountability and decision making and my Ministerial colleagues and I are hopeful that there will be a very early return to locally devolved government."
Ms Kennedy praised and encouraged the work being carried out on promoting alternative means of workplace dispute.
"Fewer cases in the system would mean better and quicker handling of them by the tribunals," she said.
"Another plus of early workplace resolution is that the working relationship between the parties is far less likely to be damaged by the process."
The Minister outlined her timetable for: introducing measures to encourage the early resolution of employment disputes in the workplace; updating tribunal rules and improved resources to improve case management; a variety of initiatives emanating from European Directives including, Working Time, Temporary Agency Workers and the draft information and Consultation Directive; and a review of the Employment Relations (NI) Order 1999, which includes the trade union recognition provisions overseen by the Industrial Court.
She added: "Our economy is made up of public and private enterprises and organisations. Our goal must be to use the partnership approach to resolve workplace disputes using less cumbersome and litigious methods."
The LRA is independent of government and funded by a £2.2 million grant per annum from the Department for Employment and Learning.
(GMcG)
During the meeting, Ms Kennedy highlighted what she described as "the positive improvements" in the Northern Ireland economy over the past decade.
"Northern Ireland is the most improved regional economy in the UK since 1990. Unemployment is down to 6% and has stabilised. Employment is up with 6,800 more jobs created over the past year," she said.
"A recent UK-wide survey by the CBI showed that business confidence here is robust with Northern Ireland being the only region where employers are anticipating taking on extra workers."
She said that Northern Ireland also has comparatively few working days lost through industrial action.
Chartering the significant progress being made here in the areas of employment law and relations, the Minister said: "The most recent substantial period of devolution clearly highlighted the added value of local political accountability and decision making and my Ministerial colleagues and I are hopeful that there will be a very early return to locally devolved government."
Ms Kennedy praised and encouraged the work being carried out on promoting alternative means of workplace dispute.
"Fewer cases in the system would mean better and quicker handling of them by the tribunals," she said.
"Another plus of early workplace resolution is that the working relationship between the parties is far less likely to be damaged by the process."
The Minister outlined her timetable for: introducing measures to encourage the early resolution of employment disputes in the workplace; updating tribunal rules and improved resources to improve case management; a variety of initiatives emanating from European Directives including, Working Time, Temporary Agency Workers and the draft information and Consultation Directive; and a review of the Employment Relations (NI) Order 1999, which includes the trade union recognition provisions overseen by the Industrial Court.
She added: "Our economy is made up of public and private enterprises and organisations. Our goal must be to use the partnership approach to resolve workplace disputes using less cumbersome and litigious methods."
The LRA is independent of government and funded by a £2.2 million grant per annum from the Department for Employment and Learning.
(GMcG)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
13 October 2003
Conference focuses on employment law
A half-day conference focusing on recent developments in employment law could help reduce the number of small and medium sized companies (SME’s) in the north-west that fall foul of employment legislation.
Conference focuses on employment law
A half-day conference focusing on recent developments in employment law could help reduce the number of small and medium sized companies (SME’s) in the north-west that fall foul of employment legislation.
11 June 2010
Bosses Targeted On Domestic Violence
Company bosses across Northern Ireland are being urged to show their support for victims of domestic violence. The employers are being asked to sign up to a major new programme launched at the University of Ulster's Jordanstown campus this week.
Bosses Targeted On Domestic Violence
Company bosses across Northern Ireland are being urged to show their support for victims of domestic violence. The employers are being asked to sign up to a major new programme launched at the University of Ulster's Jordanstown campus this week.
18 February 2016
Bombardier Job Losses 'Deeply Disappointing'
The news that Bombardier is to reduce its workforce in Northern Ireland have been described as "deeply disappointing" and "extremely regrettable", by Enterprise, Trade and Investment Minister Jonathan Bell and Minister for Employment and Learning, Dr Stephen Farry.
Bombardier Job Losses 'Deeply Disappointing'
The news that Bombardier is to reduce its workforce in Northern Ireland have been described as "deeply disappointing" and "extremely regrettable", by Enterprise, Trade and Investment Minister Jonathan Bell and Minister for Employment and Learning, Dr Stephen Farry.
24 June 2002
New employment right for NI workers
The Department for Employment and Learning has announced that all Northern Ireland workers can now avail of a new right to be accompanied at disciplinary and grievance hearings. This new right is intended to protect workers from intimidation and assist those who may have difficulties in representing themselves.
New employment right for NI workers
The Department for Employment and Learning has announced that all Northern Ireland workers can now avail of a new right to be accompanied at disciplinary and grievance hearings. This new right is intended to protect workers from intimidation and assist those who may have difficulties in representing themselves.
05 September 2014
UUP Questions Increase In Temporary Employment
The Ulster Unionist Party has claimed that the number of temporary workers in Northern Ireland has increased by 16,000 over the past three years, amounting to a 47% rise in temporary contracts among the workforce. Ulster Unionist MLA Robin Swann said he would raise the issue with Employment and Enterprise Ministers at Stormont.
UUP Questions Increase In Temporary Employment
The Ulster Unionist Party has claimed that the number of temporary workers in Northern Ireland has increased by 16,000 over the past three years, amounting to a 47% rise in temporary contracts among the workforce. Ulster Unionist MLA Robin Swann said he would raise the issue with Employment and Enterprise Ministers at Stormont.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.