Sinn Fein MLA Raymond McCartney
SINN Féin’s Raymond McCartney has said his party’s amendments to the Employment Bill would protect workers from the worst excesses of zero hours contracts.
The Foyle MLA added they will also help to address the gender pay gap.
Raymond McCartney said: “These amendments will significantly improve the Employment Bill and provide additional rights for zero hour contract workers, who currently have insufficient protection from abusive employers.
“The establishment of a Living Wage Agency would also be a forward step and help drive forward an economy built on well-paid jobs.
“There will also be a requirement that some companies will have to publish data on the extent of the pay gap within their own organisation and carry out an equal pay audit.
“This information needs to be detailed enough to shine a light on the main causes of the pay gap and to be shared with both employees and trade union representatives.
“There remain too many economic and societal barriers to achieving equal pay and these send out a very poor message to girls and young women who have yet to enter the workforce.”
