AQW 37519/22-27

Ms Paula Bradshaw
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 05/01/2026
Answered On Date: 13/01/2026
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for the Economy to detail any safeguards currently in place to protect workers in Northern Ireland, who are employed under a visa sponsorship for employers, including any mechanisms for reporting exploitation or intimidation.

Answer:

Workers employed under visa sponsorship arrangements, which are determined by the Home Office, have access to the same protections as all workers here.

These include protections relating to the minimum wage, health and safety, whistleblowing and unlawful discrimination. Information on employment rights can be sought from the Labour Relations Agency and breaches of employment law which cannot be resolved can be raised with an industrial tribunal or the Fair Employment Tribunal.