Zero hours contracts could be tightly restricted in Northern Ireland under fresh proposals announced by Stormont's economy minister.
The changes are planned as part of a major update to employment laws that Caoimhe Archibald intends to bring to the assembly.
She said new legislation would put an end to "exploitative" zero hours contracts and enhance protections for workers.
There will be exemptions for firms that carry out seasonal and casual work that will still be able to employ people using zero hours contracts, the minister said.
The measures were first outlined by her predecessor Conor Murphy last year, but had to go out for public consultation before they could be progressed.
Archibald took over as economy minister in February when Murphy quit Stormont after being elected to the Seanad (Irish Senate).
It is understood that over 190 responses to the consultation were received and it is now expected that the bill could be introduced in the assembly next January.
The minister has written to other executive parties seeking agreement for the bill.
Archibald described the plan as a "balanced approach which will ensure our employment law framework works effectively for both workers and employers in the modern era".
"This is an ambitious package of reforms to employment law which will see the biggest upgrade of our employment legislation since the Good Friday Agreement," she added.
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