Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2012, published 102nd ILC session (2013)

Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182) - New Zealand (Ratification: 2001)

Article 7(2) of the Convention. Effective and time-bound measures. Clause (d). Children at special risk. Children living in poverty. The Committee previously noted the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions’ contention that poverty had been an issue for New Zealand for some years and had increased with the recession. In this regard, the Committee noted the Government’s statement that a wide range of social assistance support measures were available for families at risk, including specific programmes in response to the economic downturn. The Government further stated that New Zealand law and practice provided adequate protection for children and young persons.

The Committee notes the Government’s statement that, in June 2012, it announced a new Job Streams programme, which will consolidate work and income employment programmes. The Government indicates that this programme will give priority to children who are at high risk of long-term benefit dependence, as well as single parents. The Government also states that this new programme includes the Job Ops with Training programme, which combines wage subsidies with a training component to ensure young people gain skills for future employment.

The Committee further notes the Government’s statement, in its reply to the list of issues of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights of 26 January 2012, that it believes that paid work for families is the best way for low-income families to improve their situation and move children out of poverty. In this regard, the Government states that it continues to provide support to low-income households with dependent children through the Working for Families package, which includes tax credits to families of lower incomes (E/C.12/NZL/Q/3/Add.1 paragraphs 75, 77 and 78).