Current provisions for employed person’s allowance are sufficient to accommodate people who have irregular working patterns, the Chief Minister has said.

Howard Quayle told Tynwald that Treasury has reviewed the provisions and decided that it provides enough cover for people with variable income levels, including those on zero hour contracts.

Onchan MHK Julie Edge had asked Mr Quayle about what progress had been made implementing the recommendations of the Zero Hours Committee, which were made in May 2019.

In the report, Health and Social Care Minister David Ashford and the committee said the Department for Enterprise should bring forward legislation which will help protect workers.

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This will include extending the present right of employees to receive a written statement of particulars to all workers and reviewing the particulars which are presently specified in the Isle of Man Employment Act 2006 and require the employer of workers who are not in regular employment to refer workers to information issued by the DfE setting out their main employment rights.

Mr Quayle said: ’The reform of employment law, which will include provisions for zero hours contract workers and employees, the ’gig economy’ and other issues identified in the UK Taylor report is a major and long term undertaking, requiring significant resources in the Department for Enterprise and the Attorney General’s Chambers.

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’Due to other legislative priorities, the department has not yet commenced work on secondary legislation or the policy proposals that would be required to underpin any new primary legislation.’

As part of the review by Treasury, one of the questions it will consider is whether ’given the change in today’s working patterns, is the current NI scheme fit for purpose’?

The Chief Minister added: ’We should note that the modern welfare state has been in place for over 40 years and that over the years this legislation has evolved, and will continue to do so, to suit the needs of our island.

’Reforming employment law is important but not an overnight job. However, my administration is committed to ensuring that we have modern legislation that works for employers, employees and workers alike.’