STATEMENT OF INTENT 2006/2007

THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOUR FACTS AND FIGURES

FACTS AND FIGURES

• Brief history of the Department

• Leadership and Structure

• Our People

• The Department’s Legislative Framework

• Where to find us

• How you can contact us

BRIEF HISTORY OF THE DEPARTMENT

Established initially as the Bureau of Industries in 1891, the Department of Labour is one of New Zealand’s oldest government departments. It was among the early pioneers internationally to tackle the “labour problem” during the prolonged depression conditions of the late nineteenth century. Following the passage of the first Factories Act in late 1891, the bureau was officially renamed the Department of Labour in May 1892.

The Labour Department Act of 1903 confirmed the Department’s role in administering labour laws, collecting statistics and acquiring/distributing information for the purpose of “improving the relations between employers and workers”. With its extensive district network around the country, the Department was seen as a convenient administrative mechanism for many regulatory measures.

The following list gives a flavour of the breadth of functions that the Department had in its early years (until after the Second World War):

The post-war years saw a strengthened role for the Department in improving workplace conditions, administrating assisted immigration and a renewed centrality of industrial relations policy. The Department’s activities included:

More information

More comprehensive information about the Department’s history can be found in Holding the Balance: A History of New Zealand’s Department of Labour 1891-1995 by John E. Martin.

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LEADERSHIP AND STRUCTURE

Secretary of Labour

The title of Secretary of Labour has existed since it was established under the Labour Department Act 1903. For the purposes of the State Sector Act 1988, the general statutory responsibilities of the Secretary of Labour are those of a chief executive of a public sector department as set out in the State Sector Act 1988 and the Public Finance Act 1989.

In addition, the Secretary of Labour (Chief Executive of the Department of Labour) holds a number of specific statutory powers, including:

Under Part 4A of the Immigration Act 1987, the Chief Executive has specific responsibilities in the special procedures in cases involving security concerns.

DEPARTMENT OF LABOUR STRUCTURE

Department of Labour Structure

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OUR PEOPLE

The Department’s staff bring a wide range of professional skills, knowledge and experience to address labour market issues and the working lives of New Zealanders. These staff include labour inspectors, mediators, immigration officers, occupational safety and health inspectors, lawyers, policy advisers and analysts, researchers, accountants, planners, computer experts, communications, human resources staff and other administration staff.

Key demographic statistics relating to the Department’s staff as of 1 April 2006 are:

DEPARTMENT OF LABOUR STAFF BY ETHNICITY

Department of Labour Staff by Ethnicity

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DEPARTMENT OF LABOUR STAFF BY GENDER

Department of Labour Staff by Gender

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THE DEPARTMENT'S LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK

The Department administers over 20 statutes and 80 sets of regulations, together with a number of international conventions. They primarily relate to:

Statutes and regulations

General

Labour Department Act Repeal Act 1989

Employment relations

Employment Relations Act 2000

Equal Pay Act 1972

Holidays Act 2003

Marine and Power Engineers Institute Industrial Disputes Act 1974

Minimum Wage Act 1983

Parental Leave and Employment Protection Act 1987

Disabled Persons Employment Promotion Act 1960

Remuneration Authority Act 1977 (formerly named the Higher Salaries Commission Act 1977)

Seamen’s Union Funds Act 1971

Sharemilking Agreements Act 1937

Shop Trading Hours Act Repeal Act 1990

Trade Unions Act 1908

Union Representatives Education Leave Act Repeal Act 1992

Volunteers Employment Protection Act 1973

Wages Protection Act 1983

Waterfront Industry Reform Act 1989

Health and safety in the workplace

Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992

Machinery Act 1950

Mines Rescue Trust Act 1992

Regulations made under other legislation which are now administered under section 24 of the HSE Act

Regulations made under the Health Act 1920 and Factories Act 1946

Regulations made under the Industrial Training Levies Act 1978

Regulations made under the Factories and Commercial Premises Act 1961

Hazardous Substances

Regulations made under the Dangerous Goods Act 1974 and Explosives Act 1957 continued by the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996 (administered by the Ministry for the Environment).

Injury prevention, rehabilitation and compensation

Injury Prevention, Rehabilitation, and Compensation Act 2001

Regulations made under previous accident compensation legislation

Regulations made under the Accident Insurance Act 1998

Immigration

Immigration Act 1987

Legislation under review

As at 1 April 2006, the following relevant Bills were before Parliament and, if passed, will either be administered by the Department, or contain substantive amendments to existing legislation administered by the Department:

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WHERE TO FIND US

The Department of Labour has 67 offices at 20 New Zealand locations, including the national office in Wellington. We also have 15 immigration offices overseas (one in Australia, eight in Asia, three in Europe, three in the Pacific). Immigration services on behalf of the Department are also provided through Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and British Embassy and Consular posts overseas.

The location of offshore offices relates to the need to target the skilled migrants New Zealand needs, foster regional relationships and manage risk. Our approach is to test the feasibility of new markets and align with other New Zealand agencies offshore, before setting up a branch.

DEPARTMENT SITES

Department Sites on New Zealand Map

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OVERSEAS LOCATIONS

Immigration Branches

Apia, Bangkok, Beijing, Hong Kong, Jakarta, London, Moscow, New Delhi, Nuku ’Alofa, Shanghai, Singapore, Suva, Sydney, Taipei, The Hague.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Posts

Ankara, Berlin, Brussels, Buenos Aires, Canberra, Dubai, Geneva, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Honiara, Kuala Lumpur, Los Angeles, Madrid, Manila, Mexico City, Niue, Noumea, Ottawa, Paris, Port Moresby, Port Vila, Pretoria, Rarotonga, Riyadh, Rome, Santiago, Sao Paulo, Seoul, Tarawa, Tehran, Tokyo, Warsaw, Washington.

British Embassy and Consular Posts

Algiers, Amman, Abu Dhabi, Bogota, Brasilia, Cairo, Caracas, Casablanca, Doha, Guatemala City, Islamabad, Karachi, Kuwait, La Paz, Lima, Muscat, Panama City, Port of Spain, Quito, Sanaa, San Jose, Tel Aviv/Jerusalem, Tunis, Yangon.

Overseas Locations

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HOW YOU CAN CONTACT US

Department of Labour

Department of Labour
PO Box 3705 Wellington
Phone: +64 4 915 4000
www.dol.govt.nz

The Department’s website provides extensive information about the Department and all its services. It provides regular updates on health and safety, employment relations, immigration and labour market information. It also covers initiatives such as workplace productivity, Work-Life balance, pay and employment equity, and our international services.

You can access Departmental publications and media releases, including documents such as the Statement of Intent and Annual Report. There is an A-Z of links to specific subjects and research, plus links to other Department of Labour sub-sites and related government websites.

Workplace

Workplace offers information and guidance on a range of workplace issues, and can refer you to further specialist information or assistance, including Department of Labour branches.

Workplace Freephone 0800 20 90 20

The following sub-sites provide 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year access to a wide range of information and practical tools, including calculators and a free employment agreement builder.

The websites also link you to our contact centre by e-mail, or you can freephone during regular business hours on 0800 20 90 20.

www.ers.govt.nz

This site has information about employment rights and obligations for employers and employees, from the start of the employment relationship to the end. It covers employment agreements, problem-solving, holidays, minimum pay, parental leave, good faith and union matters; and provides fact sheets and tools including calculators for holiday pay and paid parental leave, and an employment agreement builder. You can also register for automatic updates to keep up with changes in the law or practice affecting workplaces.

www.osh.govt.nz

This site provides general information about health and safety law and practice, hazards in the workplace, and hazardous substances, plus links to relevant publications, research and media releases. The site also provides help on requirements to record and notify work-related accidents and illnesses, forms, and Department contact details for health and safety matters.

www.workinfo.govt.nz

The WorkInfo website covers the latest changes to workplace-related law, including holidays and leave, minimum wages, and health and safety in employment. It includes specific information for employers, employees, self-employed and principals and volunteers. Specific topics include dealing with workplace accidents, and stress and fatigue. The site has fact sheets, online access to publications, and access to information on productive workplaces, health and safety and employment relations.

www.worksite.govt.nz

WorkSite/PaeMahi is a one-stop information portal on skills and work in New Zealand. It combines work-related resources and services from government and non-government organisations. WorkSite/PaeMahi has information about education and training, career planning, finding work, finding employees, and establishing and operating a business, as well as publications and other information about working in New Zealand.

www.workplaceproductivity.govt.nz

This site provides practical information and resources to help people improve their workplace productivity. It explains what productivity is, and gives employers and employees ideas about how they can work in different and better ways to increase the value of what they produce.

Work-life balance

www.dol.govt.nz/worklife

This is an interactive website on the New Zealand Work-Life Balance project which is helping to shape further practical solutions to help people combine healthy, productive work with other aspects of life. The site has information on work-life balance, case studies, events, regular newsletters, and a channel to feed your ideas and views into the project.

Future of Work

www.dol.govt.nz/futureofwork

The Future of Work programme aims to increase understanding of future trends in work and their implications for the workplace, workforce and employment opportunities in New Zealand. The website has information and new research on changing trends, a monthly newsletter and seeks online feedback.

Workforce

www.immigration.govt.nz

The Immigration New Zealand website has the following three sub-sites:

www.nzopportunities.govt.nz

The Discover and Decide site has information about New Zealand and New Zealanders – the way we live, and work opportunities here. Once migrants have decided to come to New Zealand, they can move on to our Apply and Settle site.

www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant

Our Apply and Settle site provides information about immigration policy, migrating to and living in New Zealand, applying for visas and permits, fees, and office locations. Migrants can download forms, calculate skills, apply online for certain visas and permits, and link to a range of related government and non-government sites in New Zealand and overseas.

www.immigration.govt.nz/community

Our Employ and Support Site provides information for people working in the immigration industry, employers looking to hire workers from overseas, educational institutes for international students and community-based organisations offering support to migrants.

Immigration Freephone 0508 558 855

A 24-hour, 7-day a week freephone automated telephone service is also available to answer general enquiries on immigration and visa and permit enquiries within New Zealand. Callers can securely check that their application has been received and its status, using a PIN number.

 

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