New Zealand

As well as being a founding member of the ILO, joining in 1919, New Zealand has a unique record on issues of labour and social justice. In 1893 New Zealand became the first country in the world to give women the vote. It was also the first to legislate for an eight hour working day, so paving the way for the ILO’s Hours of Work (Industry) Convention in 1919.

New Zealand has ratified six of the eight core ILO Conventions. The Government, in consultation with Business New Zealand (the country’s largest advocacy group for enterprise) and the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions, is currently studying ratification of the remaining two: the Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention, 1948 (No. 87), and the Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138).

The New Zealand Government has expressed its serious commitment to promoting Decent Work, In January 2007, the government, employers, and workers of New Zealand launched a joint campaign, and a website that is regularly updated to show the country’s progress towards decent work.

The country is at the forefront of promoting decent work in the Asia-Pacific region and is working closely with the ILO to support the idea globally.

ILO activities in New Zealand are supported through the ILO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, in Bangkok, Thailand.
 

Links (Tripartite constituents)

• Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment
• Business New Zealand
• New Zealand Council of Trade Unions