Policy would 'limit the freedoms of workers and employers'
The International Labour Organisation (ILO) is calling on the New Zealand government to provide it with information regarding its proposed Fair Pay Agreements (FPA).
The request came after New Zealand was short listed in the list of countries accused of violating fundamental labour conventions, with the country accused of breaching the ILO Convention No. 98, or the Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention.
New Zealand was included in the said list after Business NZ filed a petition to the ILO to review the proposed law, which the industry body says: "contravenes ILO Convention 98 by constituting an 'act of interference' in the affairs of workers and employers."
The FPA is a new system of collective bargaining touted to improve pay and conditions for workers, especially for low-wage earners.
"This case has been raised with the ILO because of concerns that the Fair Pay Agreements policy would remove rights and freedoms from workplaces in New Zealand," said Business NZ chief executive Kirk Hope.
According to Hope, businesses believe that other sections of the policy would also "limit the freedoms of workers and employers”.
As a result of being short listed, the government is now requested to provide the ILO's Committee on the Application of Standards with information regarding the proposed FPA as well as the criticism hurled by Business NZ.
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'Not unusual'
In response to the invitation, Workplace Relations Minister Michael Wood said being asked to supply information is "not an unusual event."
"An appearance before the [ILO] committee is not an unusual event. It is part of the ordinary workings of the conference. Most countries will, at some time or another, appear before it," Wood said as quoted by Stuff.
The Council of Trade Unions also shrugged off interpretations that being invited by the ILO means the organisation does not support the creation of the FPA.
"The shortlist reflects a process of negotiation between employers and unions at the ILO, and it has been agreed that a discussion concerning FPAs, how they work, and their benefits would be desirable," said CTU president Richard Wagstaff as quoted by Stuff.