Increase in workers' annual leave approved by Assembly

14 January 2008

Employment and Learning Minister, Sir Reg Empey, welcomed the Assembly’s approval of Regulations which increased Northern Ireland workers’ paid leave entitlement from October 2007.

The Minister led an Assembly debate which today approved the new Regulations. The Regulations provide for an increase of 4 days from October 2007 and a further 4 days from April 2009. From April 2009, many NI workers will be legally entitled to a minimum of 28 days’ annual leave. Part-time workers will be entitled to a proportionate increase based on their hours of work. Bank and public holidays may be included in the new entitlement but the Regulations do not give workers the right to take paid leave on such holidays.

Following the debate, Sir Reg said:

“All good employers recognise the important role of workers in helping businesses to grow. The increase in leave entitlement will improve the work-life balance of workers and enable them to make a better contribution to business success.”

NOTES TO EDITORS:

1. The right to 4 weeks’ paid annual leave was introduced by the Working Time Regulations (NI) 1998. The additional entitlement is implemented through The Working Time (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2007.

2. The increase comes in two phases: up from 4 weeks to 4.8 weeks per year from 1 October 2007, and up again from 4.8 weeks to 5.6 weeks from 1 April 2009, all in line with equivalent increases in Great Britain. This amounts to an increase from 20 days to 28 days per year for those who work 5 days per week (pro-rata for part-time workers). The entitlement is capped at 28 days.

3. Detailed information on the new holiday entitlement is available on the Departmental website at www.delni.gov.uk/paidholidayentitlement. external link There are also links to tools to help calculate holiday entitlement.

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

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