The CBI, NI Chamber of Commerce, Federation of Small Businesses, Institute of Directors, Manufacturing NI and the Irish Congress of Trade Unions issued a statement through the Labour Relations Agency.
Gordon Milligan, chairman of the LRA, said: “We utterly condemn the racist attacks and civil unrest that has been taking place in Belfast.
“It is completely unacceptable that businesses and their employees are being attacked and livelihoods ruined.
“We call on everyone in society to do all they can to defuse the situation before more people get hurt and Northern Ireland’s reputation as a good place to work and do business is damaged.”
Gerry Murphy, ICTU assistant secretary, said: “The trade union movement stands in solidarity with all workers and their friends and families who have been attacked or feel threatened by these racist attacks.
“We demand an immediate end to this mindless thuggery. Everyone has a right to live and work in peace, without fear about their safety at home, at work, or in the community. I welcome the support from business and employers’ condemnation of this intolerable situation.”
Both the business and trade union representative bodies reaffirmed their commitments as set out in the Joint Declaration of Protection for Dignity at Work and Inclusive Working Environment agreed in 2017.
Alan Lowry, FSB’s Northern Ireland policy chair, expressed the organisation’s disgust. “The scenes of destruction and hideous attacks on businesses in Belfast are a disgrace. There is absolutely no excuse for it.
“The intimidation, racist attacks and assaults on police are utterly contemptible and should be condemned.
“Business owners and their employees should be able to operate free from threats and intimidation, sustaining jobs and breathing life into town and city centre economies.
“It is disgusting to see what happened to some of the businesses in Belfast which have been devastated by rioting and arson attacks, and their owners left questioning whether they can even go on. All right-thinking people will stand in solidarity with those business owners.
“The entrepreneurs who start these and other businesses have already faced myriad challenges over recent years and the last thing Northern Ireland needs is to see more obstacles put in their way, bringing negative headlines as we seek to grow the economy and bring more jobs to Belfast and across the country.”