strategy statement03 - 05

Performance Indicator: Extent to which the process maintains high levels of employment and secures living standards.

Update the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 1989;

Performance Indicator: New Health and Safety Bill to be published in the last quarter of 2003.

Improve working conditions through the implementation and

enforcement of Health and Safety Directives;

Performance Indicator: To be up to date by year-end 2003 in the transposition of EU Directives so as to provide the Health and Safety Authority with the necessary powers to enforce its remit.

Implement the new Directive on insolvency payments and

amend the 1984 Insolvency Act;

Performance Indicator: Legislation to transpose the Directive published by end 2004.

Review the interaction and functional relationships between

the Employment Rights Bodies;

Performance Indicator: Publication of review by mid 2004.

Contribute to the Forum on the Workplace of the Future so as

to establish a vision of workplace change based on shared understandings.

Performance Indicator: Ensure the Forum promotes a dialogue which will contribute to the EU Tripartite Social Summit and provides a shared analysis on issues of workplace change.

Introduce agreed adjustments to the National Minimum Wage;

Performance Indicator: Adjustments made in accordance with commitments by the Social Partners, or existing legislation, as appropriate.

Implement the recommendations of the Review Group on the

statutory redundancy scheme and give effect to the increased benefits agreed with the social partners;

Performance Indicator: Recommendations of the Review Group and agreement of Social Partners to increased benefits put in place by means of the Redundancy Payments Act 2003, which came into force on 25 May 2003.

Implement the Directive on Fixed-Term Work Bill;

Performance Indicator: Directive transposed by means of the Protection of Employees (Fixed-Term Work) Bill 2003 by mid July 2003.

Introduce legislation and Codes of Practice on voluntary

dispute resolution and victimisation;

Performance Indicator: Legislation published by mid 2003 with agreed Codes coming into effect on enactment in the last quarter of 2003.

Ensure compliance with Employments Rights legislation by

providing quality information to all and enforcing compliance through the Labour Inspectorate;

Performance Indicator: Volume of requests for information responded to, volume of complaints to Labour Inspectorate dealt with, volume of non-compliance rectified, including prosecution, where necessary.