A new jobs bill is being hailed as the "biggest upgrade to our employment legislation since the Good Friday Agreement".
Sinn Féin MP Pat Cullen has welcomed the submission of the Good Jobs Bill to the Northern Ireland Executive by Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald.
Ms. Archibald described the Bill as the "biggest upgrade to our employment legislation since the Good Friday Agreement."
Ms. Cullen said: "The cost-of-living crisis is placing huge pressure on workers and families.
"Across sectors including retail, hospitality, health, and social care, too many people are struggling to earn enough to provide a decent standard of living for themselves and their families.
"People deserve access to secure, fairly paid employment, and this bill will strengthen workers’ rights while providing greater dignity and security in the workplace."
Ms. Cullen said: "In our care homes, hospitality businesses, and shops, the Good Jobs Bill will give workers on zero-hours contacts the right to move to banded-hours contracts.
"It will protect women from dismissal during maternity leave, introduce carer’s leave and paid neonatal care leave, and make it easier for workers to join trade unions.
"My constituency has a thriving tourism and hospitality economy, with hundreds of workers employed across hotels, restaurants, bars and cafés.
"This legislation would ensure workers are treated fairly by guaranteeing that tips, gratuities and service charges are passed on to staff in full.
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