Derry & Strabane Sinn Féin Councillor Sandra Duffy has slammed the DUP for blocking the Good Jobs Bill.

The DUP has refused to back the bill, aimed at strengthening protections for workers and their families across the north.

Colr. Duffy said: “Since 2025, the DUP has pursued a wrecker's agenda. It has systematically undermined power-sharing, and blocked progress on holiday hunger, Irish language signage, education, climate action, and minority rights. “Now the DUP has destroyed any prospect of the Good Jobs Bill becoming law within this Assembly mandate. It has denied the Assembly the opportunity to properly debate or even vote on this landmark employment rights legislation. “The DUP has exposed itself to be anti-worker, anti-trade union, and fundamentally opposed to progress,” Colr. Duffy claimed.

"It has prevented measures to deliver strengthened protections for workers, carers and parents, including access to special leave, and equal pay and conditions. “The message is clear: the DUP has abandoned every working family in the north. Sinn Féin will continue to stand up for workers’ rights, for trade unions, and decent work for everyone, including working class unionists whom the DUP has long since abandoned.”

Councillors Sandra Duffy and Pat Murphy promoting the good jobs bill at Northside.

placeholder image — Councillors Sandra Duffy and Pat Murphy promoting the good jobs bill at Northside.

Speaking back in June, DUP Leader Gavin Robinson MP claimed the Sinn Féin bill risked undermining economic growth and damaging confidence among employers across Northern Ireland.

Speaking at a business breakfast in Bangor, Mr Robinson said: “Good law is built on consensus. Yet what Sinn Fein have brought forward in this draft Employment Rights Bill drives a wedge between employer and employee at the very moment Northern Ireland needs both working together. That is no foundation upon which we grow our economy, attract investment or create opportunity. "Northern Ireland needs more good jobs and better jobs - but that only happens when government works with business, not against it. "Businesses are telling us clearly that they need confidence, stability and a government prepared to work with them, not impose legislation without consensus. “Sinn Fein can produce all the slogans they want about ‘good jobs’, but if their policies drive investment away and cost Northern Ireland jobs, workers will see through the rhetoric very quickly,” he claimed.