A Sinn Féin MLA has called for a pilot programme to consider the benefits of a four day working week in Northern Ireland.
Jemma Dolan has written to the Economy Minister Paul Frew and asked him to consider a similar pilot programme to the one launched in the Republic of Ireland earlier this week.
The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment also announced it will fund research to establish the merits of a four-day work project. The research will begin in January 2022.
Jemma Dolan MLA said: "Over the course of the last year businesses and workers have re-evaluated and re-assessed the issue of work life balance and productivity.
"It has been almost 100 years since Trade Unions secured workers the right to a weekend and it is important that as part of the economic recovery we consider how we can modernise the working arrangements to the benefit of workers and employers."
A four-day working week is already in operation for a number of companies including the ICE Group, 3D Issue and JMK Solicitors.
The party’s spokesperson on workers’ rights added: "I have written to the Economy Minister Paul Frew and asked him to consider a similar Pilot Programme for the six counties so that we can establish how these arrangements can operate across Ireland."
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