Minister launches Employment Law Consultations

2 June 2008

Employment Minister Sir Reg Empey today launched two public consultations on changes to employment law.

The consultations contain proposals to strengthen employment agency enforcement powers and amend trade union law to address a European Court decision.

The employment agency proposals seek to strengthen the Department for Employment and Learning’s ability to prosecute the small number of rogue agencies that abuse vulnerable workers and undermine the vast majority of reputable agencies.   

The main aim of the trade union proposals is to address a decision by the European Court of Human Rights, which concluded trade unions should have more autonomy to decide their membership.  

The Minister is keen to hear the views of those affected and said: ‘’These proposals will impact on a wide range of individuals and organisations, such as agency workers, employment agencies, trade unions and their members. I want to encourage those affected to share their views with my Department and help to ensure that the proposed changes meet their objectives.’’

Full details of all the proposals are available from the Department for Employment and Learning website www.delni.gov.uk/consultationzone

NOTES TO EDITORS:

1. ‘Public Consultation: Proposals to amend trade union law’, and ‘Public Consultation: Proposals to strengthen Employment Agency enforcement powers’         can be found at www.delni.gov.uk external link

2.The consultations close on 30 September 2008.

3. Media enquiries to the Department for Employment and Learning Press Office on 028 9025 7872.

4.Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.