A trade union body is warning of further industrial action in Northern Ireland if public sector pay falls behind other parts of the UK.
Millions of public sector workers in England and Wales are to get pay rises of 5%-7%, the government has said.
Most public sector pay decisions in Northern Ireland are devolved to the power-sharing government at Stormont.
But with no ministers in place and severe pressure on budgets it is not clear what pay awards will be made.
The trade union umbrella body NIC/ICTU represents about 800,000 workers affiliated through 64 trade unions in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
It said there would be a carnival of industrial unrest if pay for Northern Ireland public servants was allowed to fall further behind rates on offer in England and Wales.
Police and prison officers in England and Wales will receive a 7% pay rise, while teachers and junior doctors will get a 6.5% and 6% rise respectively.
Dr Tom Black of the doctors' union the British Medical Association said the situation was "completely unacceptable" for healthcare staff in Northern Ireland.
