Objective 1: Activities, Strategies and/or Institutional Arrangements Developed to Address each Critical Success Factor

CSF 4: New Zealand signs up to and complies with international instruments.

Activity:
Review of the level of the adult, new entrants and training minimum wages
Description:
The Department of Labour provides advice on the setting of minimum wage levels that best achieves the objectives and criteria agreed by Government for the minimum wage. As a part of this process, the Department analyses submissions made by interested parties on minimum wage rates.
Lead Agency:
Department of Labour

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Activity:
Protection of children at work
Description:
The Government is considering the potential ratification of ILO Convention 138 (Minimum Age of Employment). It is also carrying out a work programme to improve knowledge of existing protections for children at work, compliance with children’s employment rights, and detection of exploitation when it does occur.
Lead Agency:
Department of Labour

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Activity:
Pay and Employment Equity plan of action for the next five years
Description:
The Government is proceeding to implement the action plan for pay and employment equity in the public service, public health and public education sectors. A dedicated unit has been established in Department of Labour which is developing tools and processes to enable agencies to implement the action plan and a tripartite Steering Group has been established to oversee the work of the unit.
Lead Agency:
Department of Labour

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Activity:
Incorporation of labour components in trade agreements
Description:
The Government’s framework on the integration of labour issues with trade agreements continues to be used in all trade negotiations to which New Zealand is a party, including with ASEAN, China, Malaysia and the Gulf Cooperation Council. New Zealand has concluded agreements with the Kingdom of Thailand and with Singapore, Brunei and Chile, and a range of labour-cooperation activities are now underway.
Lead Agency:
Department of Labour

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Activity:
Reporting on ILO Conventions
Description:
As a member of the ILO, New Zealand has certain reporting obligations to fulfil. These involve reporting regularly on New Zealand’s application of ratified Conventions (Article 22 reports); as requested on the application of unratified Conventions (Article 19 reports); annually on progress made on implementing the principles underlying the two core Conventions New Zealand has not ratified (under the ILO’s Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work); reporting on the texts of newly adopted ILO labour standards to Parliament (the A7 report) and responding to ILO questionnaires to inform discussions at the annual International Labour Conference.
Lead Agency:
Department of Labour

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Activity:
Inspections on board vessels to protect working conditions
Description:
Inspection for compliance in accordance with relevant recognised ILO/International Maritime Organisation standards and parallel New Zealand standards.
Lead Agency:
Maritime New Zealand

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Activity:
Advocacy on protection of children at work
Description:
The NZCTU seeks New Zealand’s ratification of ILO Convention 138 – Minimum Age Convention, 1973, enabling the removal of New Zealand’s reservation against the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCROC) Article 32, paragraph 2 in a manner that is consistent with the concept of Decent Work as applied in New Zealand conditions.  The NZCTU also liaises with Action on Child and Youth Aotearoa (ACYA), Caritas, Child Poverty Action Group, Every Child Counts and other relevant community organisations to develop a code of best practice for child employment.
Lead Agency:
New Zealand Council of Trade Unions

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Activity:
Calling for ratification of and compliance with ILO Conventions
Description:
The NZCTU calls for ratification of relevant ILO Conventions, and improvements to current legislation and policy so they are in line with ratified conventions.  The NZCTU liaises with affiliated unions to monitor compliance with ILO Conventions that NZ has ratified.  The NZCTU reports to Government and the ILO on this compliance.
Lead Agency:
New Zealand Council of Trade Unions

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Activity:
Providing a worker perspective on the incorporation of labour standards in trade agreements
Description:
The NZCTU provides the Government with information on international labour practices and contributes to discussions with the Government on labour aspects of possible trade agreements, including direct reference to ILO core labour standards.
Lead Agency:
New Zealand Council of Trade Unions

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Activity:
Calling for extension of paid parental leave and family-friendly policies
Description:
The NZCTU monitors the provision, and advocates for extended application, of paid parental leave and breast feeding breaks so that New Zealand can comply with ILO Convention 183 – Maternity Protection, 2000.
Lead Agency:
New Zealand Council of Trade Unions