Talks on a new national wage deal will start next week following the agreement of employment standards by the Government, employers and unions.
It is reported that a new statutory body will be formed to enforce employment legislation, and the number of labour inspectors will be trebled to 90.
The agreement will see fines and penalties for breaches of labour legislation significantly increased.
It is also understood that the framework of a new law to stop employers sacking existing staff so they can be replaced with new staff on lower wages has been agreed.
The Irish Congress of Trade Unions is now understood to feel that the progress made on employment rights is significant enough to allow talks on issues such as pay.
Talks on a successor to Sustaining Progress began in February and are being chaired by senior Government official Dermot McCarthy.