30 June 2000
PART-TIME WORKERS TO GET NEW RIGHTS
Part-time workers are to get new rights under Regulations, announced today by Dr Sean Farren, Minister for Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment.
In making the statement Dr Farren said:
"Part-timers must be valued just as highly as their full-time counterparts. Many employers already do just that; but these Regulations will ensure that part-time workers are given their full rights by all employers, and are protected against unjustified discrimination.
"From 1st July 2000 part-timers have a right to the same hourly rate as comparable full timers; the same access to occupational pension schemes; the same access to training and the same entitlement to annual leave as well as parental and maternity leave, on a pro rata basis with comparable full-timers".
Dr Farren in emphasising the benefits of the Regulations said that:
"Society and the economy generally should benefit from these Regulations, in that with increasing confidence in equal treatment for part-timers, there should be greater labour market flexibility. The new measures should encourage more people to consider working part-time as their circumstances change. For example it may suit carers, students, the retired or those coming up to retirement. There are also overall gains if people - especially women, who constitute the greater proportion of part-timers - are able to achieve a better balance between work and home life."
Media Enquiries contact: Kevin Mulhern, Press Office, telephone 028 9025 7790 or mobile 0788 1550849
NOTES TO EDITORS:
These Regulations come into operation on 1st July 2000 and implement Directive 97/81/EC (normally referred to as the Part-time Work Directive) as extended to the United Kingdom by Directive 98/23/EC.
The Regulations give part-time workers the right in principle not to be treated less favourably than full-time workers of the same employer who work under the same type of employment contract. In addition a right is given to workers who become part-time or, having been full-time, return part-time after absence, to be treated not less favourably than they were before going part-time.
The rights apply where the less favourable treatment is on the ground that the worker is part-time and is not justified on objective grounds.
Printed copies of Guidance on the Regulations for employers and employees will shortly be available from the Department by telephoning 028 9025 7678. Interim guidance on the GB Regulations, on which the NI Regulations are closely modeled, is available on the internet at www.dti.gov.uk/er/ptime.htm