Carers NI has responded to the “Good Jobs” Employment Rights Bill consultation.

The vast majority of unpaid carers in Northern Ireland are of working age and many want and need employment opportunities. However, providing unpaid care can be a significant barrier to participation in the labour market.

For many carers the pressure of juggling caring, and employment unsupported is too great to manage, and one in three people with caring roles have left employment because of caring in Northern Ireland. In addition to the impact on individual carers this represents a significant loss of skills to the Northern Ireland economy.

Barriers to employment are also a significant driver of financial strain among unpaid carers. Supporting unpaid carers to remain in employment is dependent on the interplay between social and economic policies. However, flexibility in the workplace and policies to support carers to balance employment with their caring role are one of the key pillars and Carers NI welcomes their inclusion within the employment rights bill.

To ensure no carer is financially disadvantaged for caring and to give all unpaid carers the opportunity to take up this vital support, carer’s leave needs to be delivered as a statutory paid right with the cost covered by government. The benefit should be paid at an employee’s full wage.

International evidence provides a strong case that supporting carers via the provision of paid carer’s leave would not only improve carers’ own wellbeing and finances but would also bring far-reaching benefits to Government and the economy.