TRIPARTITE STATEMENT

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) estimates that throughout the world there are 12.3 million victims of forced labour¹, and that 74.4 million children under the age of 14 are engaged in hazardous work².

These shocking statistics motivate us to achieve the ILO's primary goal: Decent Work for all workers.

Decent Work is work that is productive and delivers a fair income in conditions of freedom, equity and security in line with human dignity.

New Zealand is a proud, founding member of the ILO, a tripartite organisation providing a voice for governments, workers, and employers. We want to show our commitment to the ILO's goal by making Decent Work a reality in New Zealand. We will lead by example and demonstrate the social and economic value of Decent Work and how it can be fostered.

Decent Work is important for New Zealand; it sums up the working life to which we all aspire. Our aspirations of Decent Work for New Zealand's workforce will accompany our goal of economic transformation to a high skill, high wage economy. It will make our country a better place to live and work. In the current environment of labour and skill shortages it is critical that New Zealand's workplaces are attractive.

This website is a snapshot of where we stand on our path to Decent Work. It demonstrates that the principles of Decent Work can be seen throughout New Zealand's labour market, in activities led by a wide variety of government and non-government agencies.

We are committed to build on this base to take New Zealand forward.

We are proud that our Decent Work snapshot builds on the strong tripartite dynamic already at work here in New Zealand. Government partnerships with employers and workers are crucial; they provide the collective experience, enthusiasm, commitment and guidance necessary for achieving Decent Work for all New Zealanders.

This snapshot will be regularly updated to chart further progress and ensure the project remains relevant to New Zealand's labour market. This website will be a useful tool for everyone interested in the goal of Decent Work, both in New Zealand and internationally.

¹A global alliance against forced labour, International Labour Organisation, 2005
²The end of child labour: within reach, International Labour Organisation, 2006