It’s a decade since the Good Friday Agreement was made, but for businesses in Northern Ireland, has it made a real difference?

By Joe Diamond

According to government statistics, the North’s economy has improved considerably since the Good Friday Agreement, which was made ten years ago this week.
Those figures show that 100,000 more people are employed now than a decade ago, but local community groups and politicians still have concerns about the economy.
Unemployment has fallen from 63,000 (8.1 per cent) to 34,000 (4.2 per cent), and a total of 782,000 are now in work.
Noel Rooney, chairman of the West Belfast Partnership board said: “The West Belfast Partnership Board was involved in the task force which was set up after the agreement, in 2001.
“We brought forward proposals to generate employment in West Belfast, and helped develop an action plan, which we are still working through.
“There have been some changes and the area has benefited to a certain extent. The peace process has helped to bring people into West Belfast, both in terms of tourists and employment.
“However, there is still a lot of work to be done,” he warned.
Sinn Féin councillor Paul Maskey said: “Although there is now lower unemployment, there have not been many real changes in areas of high social deprivation, like West Belfast. Sinn Féin will be fighting to ensure that these areas get their fair share of the new jobs.
“This is at the core of our argument, and we will be fighting hard to ensure that job creation in future is equality based.
“Under direct rule, British Ministers only paid lip service to equality, and neglected many of these areas for far too long.
“Now that we have the chance to govern ourselves we are going to make sure this will change,” added Paul.
SDLP Councillor Tim Attwood agreed: “Clearly advances in the economy have been made as a result of the peace process. Several local businesses such as Delta Print and Curleys are shining examples of successes in West Belfast. These stalwarts deserve to be recognised because they provided employment for local people throughout the troubles.
“However, other parts of the city have done better. There has been too much investment in the South East, and West Belfast deserves greater priority, because it is the area of greatest need.
“The area has been let down by organisations like Invest NI – they need to make more effort to help areas like West Belfast.
“The changes in the economy are a double edged sword. It is true that there has been some improvement, but not enough has been done,” he said.
Wilfred Mitchell, Policy Chair of the Federation of Small Businesses said:“100,000 extra people in the workforce can only be good news for Northern Ireland. More people working means a brighter and more robust economy and attracts greater investment into the province as a whole.
“In the last decade the FSB has witnessed a much more stable and positive economic and political climate in Northern Ireland.
“However, for this increased prosperity to continue action has to be taken in a number of areas.”

Do you agree or disagree that the Good Friday Agreement has had a positive impact on businesses in Belfast? Vote in our online poll (right).

NYSE Euronext CEO to attend investment conference

By Joe Diamond

The US-NI Investment Conference has attracted a great deal of interest from America.
So far 48 US companies have accepted invitations to attend the conference, which is due to be held in Belfast in May.
Economy Minister Nigel Dodds expressed his delight at the encouraging response from the US business community.
“To date, 48 US companies have accepted invitations to attend the US-NI Investment Conference in May.
“Originally the conference aimed to attract 40-50 senior US business representatives, however, we are greatly encouraged by the level of interest shown by the US business community to date.


“I, and my Executive colleagues, are committed to building a vibrant, dynamic and outward looking economy and the conference will provide an ideal opportunity for leading US companies to see at first hand that Northern Ireland is open for business.
“The conference, which will run from 7–9 May, is a one time opportunity for Northern Ireland to engage directly with influential US business representatives. It will give us the opportunity to showcase a Northern Ireland which is open for business. 


“Potential investors will see at first hand the greater stability and optimism for the future that has arisen since the restoration of devolution.
“We can demonstrate to these investors the expertise and skills of our workforce, the sound infrastructure base which underpins our support for enterprise and the first-class research base which exists in our universities.
“It is important to demonstrate how our third level institutions place commercial exploitation of R&D and innovation at the heart of the academic and skills agenda.
“We can also outline our plans to further invest in and improve our skills, infrastructure and research base and highlight the great lifestyle that we have on offer. 


“The conference continues to have strong support from the US administration, the governments of the UK and the Irish Republic as well as companies of the calibre of Nortel, Allstate and Citi,” he said.

Minister Dodds has also secured the attendance of the Chief Executive Officer of NYSE Euronext.


“It is encouraging news that Duncan Niederauer, the CEO of NYSE Euronext, has confirmed his attendance at the US-NI Investment Conference, and has also indicated his willingness to participate in the event.


“Despite the uncertainties surrounding global financial markets and the US economy, Mr Niederauer’s presence in May will show the commitment and goodwill in America towards Northern Ireland, as an attractive location for doing business.


“It is vitally important, particularly at this time, that we maintain and build strong relationships with key figures in the US administration and business community.
“The conference is a key platform upon which to do this and so, when the US economy begins to rebound, Northern Ireland is clearly established in the thoughts of key business decision makers, as a premier investment location,” he said.


NYSE Euronext recently acquired Wombat Financial Software (Wombat) for $200million. Wombat is a global financial services company with offices in Belfast City Centre.

It has invested £2million in its Belfast operation since June last year, expanding the company and growing its number of employees to around 100.


Duncan Niederauer said: “Northern Ireland has an important and growing presence in the global economy. I am honoured to participate in the US-NI Investment Conference, which presents an opportunity to underscore the strong and mutually beneficial partnership between Northern Ireland and the United States.
“Further, we are privileged that our recent business combination with Wombat Financial Software affords NYSE Euronext an opportunity to be part of the Northern Ireland community,”
he added.


New legislation would make life better for temp workers

By Alison Sweeney

If you are a temporary worker I’ve got good news for you. A controversial bill that is soon to be introduced to our work force for temporary and agency workers will provide protection to all temps as it aims to provide equality in the workplace for all staff.
But, if you are an IT or engineering worker it is likely that you will be excluded from this protection. It has been made clear at these early stages that IT and similar workers earn more than contracted employees due to the nature of their work and prefer to remain temporary employees because of this and therefore should be excluded from this protection for temps bill.
In February this bill passed the second reading in parliament and seems to be well on its way to helping temps attain the same rights as their permanent colleagues. This will cover areas such as equal pay, pensions and training entitlements. The bill will now move to the committee stage and will put pressure on the government to introduce new legislation.
Some are opposed to this new bill such as business groups in a range of sectors, but the Unions have generally welcomed the news as it will protect vulnerable workers and help eliminate discrimination against temporary employees. Communication Workers Union general secretary Billy Hayes said: “This is a real 'minimum wage' moment. The working lives and welfare of 1.4 million agency workers and their families are one step closer to the fair and equal treatment they deserve and need.
“When we get this bill through, we won't find any MPs who’ll admit to having been opposed to it. It is a quintessential piece of Labour legislation which we look forward to implementing and enforcing for the good health of British employment.”
So who is at risk at the moment without the policy?
For the employer it is now recommended that the company leaves recruitment of temps to the temping business. This is not only for advertising the job, but also interview and selection. Their only contract with the temping business and avoid anything that could be construed as a contract with the temp.
This in turn will help avoid any cases being taken against the company. Holidays, sickness absence, disciplinary action and claims for family-related leave should be managed by the temping business. Other advice is when negotiating a temporary contract with an employment business; seek indemnities covering claims based on employee status. This will focus minds from the beginning of the employment.
For the temp, many cases have been taken where a temporary employee has attempted to take the company for which they are temping through an employment tribunal. In 2004, a temp took a period of sickness absence and while he was off the agency provided the company another worker. When the employee returned to work it was ascertained that he was no longer needed by the employer. The employee took the case to the employment tribunal and the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) found that the temp was not the company’s employee and did not, therefore, have statutory protection from unfair dismissal. The EAT set out some useful guidance to assist tribunals with determining when a contract of employment should be implied between an agency worker and the end user: so the temp as we sit today is not technically the company’s employee. But that is not to say that they should not be treated fairly and to the same degree and standards as their full-time counterparts.