Observation (CEACR) - adopted 1993, published 80th ILC session (1993)

Minimum Wage-Fixing Machinery Convention, 1928 (No. 26) - New Zealand (Ratification: 1938)

The Committee notes the information supplied by the Government in its report as well as the observations made by the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions (CTU) on the application of the Convention, and the observations made by the New Zealand Employers' Federation on the application of Convention No. 99.

The CTU points out in its observations that the minimum wage rates have not been changed since September 1990, and that the consultations with the workers' organization concerning the minimum wage have not been substantial. It also considers that the scope (the coverage of workers under 20 years of age) and the enforcement of minimum rates are unsatisfactory.

The Committee notes that, although the observations made by the CTU were supplied with the Government's report, the report does not contain the Government's observations in response to these comments. It further notes that the Minimum Wage Act 1983 applies to workers "of any age" (section 2 of the Act) and includes a section concerning annual review of minimum wages (section 5).

The Committee requests the Government to supply information concerning the manner in which the employers and workers are associated in the operation of the minimum wage-fixing machinery (including the decisions not to change the current rates), in accordance with Article 3, paragraph 2(2) of the Convention, and to indicate whether minimum wage rates have been fixed as regards workers under 20 years of age.