📋 Tender Overview
Topics:
Good Jobs statistics and research
Ministers Economic Vision
New research examining the experiences and working conditions of low-paid employees in the north has been published today.
Welcoming the research Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald said:This important research provides valuable new evidence about the realities of low-paid work in the north. It demonstrates that tackling low pay is not solely about hourly wage rates. The security predictability and availability of working hours access to employment protections opportunities for progression and the wider quality of peoples working lives are also vitally important.I am committed to creating a fairer and more productive workplace right across the north and the Good Jobs Employment Rights Bill I have brought to the Executive is a major step towards that goal. By strengthening employment protections and promoting fair and secure work these reforms will support the creation of more Good Jobs across the north.The report Working Life on Low Pay in Northern Ireland: Evidence from the Working in Ireland Survey 2025 examines low pay alongside wider aspects of job quality including working hours employment security training workplace relationships autonomy and financial wellbeing. Key messages emerging from the research include:Low weekly earnings remain widespread;Working hours are a key driver of low pay;Certain groups face a higher risk of low pay; and Low pay is concentrated in specific sectors and locations.The Minister added: Employers also have an important role to play and I would encourage businesses and organisations across the north to sign up as accredited Living Wage employers.Everyone should have the opportunity to access secure fairly paid and fulfilling work and my proposed legislation will play a key role in supporting low-income families and ensuring fairer working conditions for employees.
Notes to editors:
Working Life on Low Pay in Northern Ireland: Evidence from the Working in Ireland Survey 2025 was authored by Lisa Wilson John Geary Hugh Creaton David Jordan Juliet Hassard Maria Belizon and Chris Smart. The Working in Ireland Survey 2025 covered a wide range of employment issues including pay job quality skills training autonomy wellbeing and employee voice. A copy of the report is available Working in Ireland Survey: An All-Ireland Study 2025 | WIIS(external link opens in a new window / tab)external link opens in a new window / tabThe Departments Good Jobs priority is focused on raising workplace standards through better pay contractual security work-life balance employee voice and representation. The Employment Rights Bill includes measures relating to predictable working hours protections for workers family-related leave and trade union representation. For media enquiries contact the Department for the Economy Press Office.The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.To keep up to date with news from the Department for the Economy follow us on X(external link opens in a new window / tab)external link opens in a new window / tab Facebook(external link opens in a new window / tab)external link opens in a new window / tab Instagram(external link opens in a new window / tab)external link opens in a new window / tab and LinkedIn(external link opens in a new window / tab)external link opens in a new window / tab
