This Thursday marks International Workers' Day. May Day is the iconic date on which we celebrate the historical and more recent struggles and achievements of workers and organised labour in Ireland and internationally. It is an occasion for us all to recommit ourselves to the achievement of strong workers' rights and industrial democracy.

The creation of any productive economy and the achievement of shared prosperity in society depends on strong trade union organisation and a political commitment to defending workers' rights.

Yesterday, the Minister for the Economy, Caoimhe Archibald, announced her plans to introduce the most progressive workers' rights legislation in the history of this state, including proposals for good jobs, fair pay, secure employment, trade union recognition and collective bargaining rights. As we look towards this May Day in solidarity with Irish workers North and South, let us unite across the Chamber to endorse and support the 'good jobs' Bill. Let us speak with one voice in support of strong workers' rights legislation. I urge everyone to join, on Saturday in Belfast and other locations, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions in marking May Day, to march in solidarity with local trade unionists and, if you have not already done so, to join a union.