Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2016, published 106th ILC session (2017)

Labour Statistics Convention, 1985 (No. 160) - New Zealand (Ratification: 2001)

The Committee notes the observations of Business New Zealand and the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions (NZCTU), communicated together with the Government’s report.

Articles 7 and 8 of the Convention. Employment, unemployment and underemployment statistics. Statistics of the structure and distribution of the economically active population. The Committee notes the information provided in the Government’s report and that the Government continues to supply data to the ILO Department of Statistics for dissemination through its website (ILOSTAT). In this regard, the latest Labour Force Survey (LFS) figures relate to 2014. The Committee notes that the 33rd New Zealand Census of Population and Dwellings planned for March 2011 was cancelled due to the Christchurch earthquake on 22 February 2011 and the subsequent state of emergency. The Census was thereafter rescheduled and conducted on 5 March 2013. The Committee requests that the Government continue to supply data and information on the methodology used in the application of these provisions. It also invites the Government to provide information on any plans for conducting the next population census. Please also include information on any developments in relation to the implementation of the Resolution concerning statistics of work, employment and labour underutilization (Resolution I), adopted by the 19th International Conference of Labour Statisticians (October 2013).

Article 9. Current statistics of average earnings and hours of work. Statistics of time rates of wages and normal hours of work. The Committee notes that the Government continues to regularly provide data to the ILO Department of Statistics from its Quarterly Employment Survey (QES), which is conducted by Statistics New Zealand in March, June, September and December annually. The Committee notes, however, the concerns expressed by the NZCTU regarding the accessibility and availability of certain data series. For example, the NZCTU indicates that the official statistics available on wage rates in collective agreements in New Zealand show only wage changes (increases or decreases) from the quarterly Labour Cost Index Survey. These statistics reflect only changes in wages that the employer indicates as being due to collective agreements and are reported in a limited number of bands, with no distinction being made by sex, occupation, industry or region. The NZCTU indicates that it would be possible to survey collective agreement wage rates, but this is not done. Moreover, there are no statistics on piece rates and shift rates although these could be surveyed. The Committee notes from the observations of the NZCTU that work is under way to revise the coverage of the QES, but the outcome of this revision has yet to be announced. The Committee requests that the Government provide updated information on the concepts, definitions and methodology used in the statistics covered by Article 9 of the Convention. Please also include information on the application in practice of Article 3 of the Convention by providing information on the consultations held and cooperation with the social partners when designing and revising such concepts, definitions and methodology.

Article 14. Statistics of occupational injuries and diseases. The Committee notes the detailed information received concerning advances made and difficulties encountered in the compilation of statistics on occupational injuries and diseases. In reply to the Committee’s previous comments, the Government indicates in its report that, in 2012, during the production of the serious injury outcome indicators for 2000–11, Statistics New Zealand became aware of a quality issue concerning the work-related injury indicators. Specifically, it discovered that when a workplace fatality could be attributed to more than one potentially fatal injury, that fatality had been counted more than once. As some deaths result from multiple injuries, the number of deaths being reported was too high. As a result of this discovery, the work-related indicators were not published together with the rest of the indicators in December 2012. The Government further indicates that the definition of “work-related injury” used for the serious injury outcome indicators has since been reviewed and updated, with a view to improving the quality of the indicators. Statistics New Zealand also reviewed the coverage of the data used for the work-related indicators, and investigated the inclusion of additional data sources. As a result of this work, some previously unreported work-related injury events are now being reported. The NZCTU indicates that New Zealand has inadequate statistics on occupational injury and disease, noting that occupational injury data is largely limited to workers compensation claim statistics and statutory serious injury or fatality reports made to regulators, with the exception of the serious injury outcome indicator reports which, while incomplete, combine a number of sources. They are, however, delayed by up to two years and are limited in depth. In this context, the Committee notes the link provided by Business New Zealand to the website of Statistics New Zealand where the serious injury outcome indicator reports may be accessed. The NZCTU refers to the comments made by the Independent Taskforce on Workplace Health and Safety in relation to poor data and measurement, in which the Taskforce noted that New Zealand has unreliable data on workplace fatalities as well as poor information on health and safety risk concentrations, causes of workplace illnesses and injuries, and the effectiveness of interventions. The Taskforce noted that there is therefore insufficient information on which to base effective targeted interventions. The NZCTU also refers to the recommendations made by the Taskforce with a view to improving the situation. The Committee requests that the Government continue to supply up-to-date statistics as well as information on any developments in relation to the collection, compilation and publication of statistics on occupational injuries and diseases, including in relation to any measures taken to implement the recommendations of the Independent Taskforce on Workplace Health and Safety.