Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2000, published 89th ILC session (2001)

Tripartite Consultation (International Labour Standards) Convention, 1976 (No. 144) - New Zealand (Ratification: 1987)

The Committee notes the Government’s report and the information provided in reply to its direct request of 1997. It also notes the observations made by the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions (NZCTU) and by the New Zealand Employers’ Federation (NZEF), which were transmitted with the Government’s report.

In its previous comments, the Committee had noted difficulties in the implementation of certain provisions of the Convention, and particularly Article 2 of the Convention. It noted in this respect the comments by the NZCTU alleging that there was no formal structure or process to ensure that "effective" tripartite consultations take place regularly on the subjects covered by Article 5(1). The Committee had requested the Government to take the necessary measures to respond to the concerns expressed by the NZCTU which regretted, among other matters, the very short response time accorded before the transmittal of the reports to be sent to the ILO. The Committee notes that the NZCTU, with reference to the consultation on the Government’s reply to the questionnaire on safety and health in agriculture which was to be discussed at the 89th Session of the International Labour Conference, reiterates its allegations that the response times accorded were too short. The NZCTU also makes observations concerning the application of Article 5(1)(c). The Committee requests the Government to make any comments which it considers appropriate in reply.

The Committee welcomes the very detailed information provided in the Government’s report and notes with interest the progress achieved in the implementation of the above provisions of the Convention, and particularly the establishment of a new procedure for tripartite consultation welcomed by the NZCTU and the NZEF. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide full information in future reports on the manner in which effect is given to these provisions of the Convention.