No. 82 - Social Policy (Non-Metropolitan Territories), 1947

Provisions

• This Convention sets out the policies and measures which ratifying countries must apply in their non-metropolitan territories.
• The aim of this Convention is the well-being and development of the people in the territories and to promote their desire for social progress, whereas the principal objective in economic development planning is to be the improvement of standards of living.
• This Convention addresses:
  • how to avoid disruption of family life and traditional social units;
  • urban congestion;
  • living conditions and establishment of industries in rural areas;
  • alienation of land;
  • producer and consumer co-operatives; and
  • basic living conditions.
• Other issues covered in this Convention include the protection of migrant workers; remuneration; non-discrimination on grounds of race, colour, sex, belief, tribal association or trade union affiliation; and education and training.

Administered by

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade

• Tokelau Act 1948
• Tokelau Crimes Regulations 1975
• Tokelau (Territorial Sea and Exclusive Economic Zone) Act 1977

Department of Internal Affairs

• Citizenship Act 1977

How New Zealand implements it

• The Tokelau Act provides the basis for Tokelau's legislative, judicial and administration system.
• The territory is administered by the Administrator of Tokelau under delegation from the Minister of Foreign Affairs. The Administrator has, since 1994, delegated his powers to the General Fono (Tokelauan legislature) and, when the General Fono is not in session, to the Council of Faipule (Tokelauan Cabinet).
• The only significant employer is the Tokelau Public Service, whose conditions of employment are monitored by the Tokelau Employment Commissioner. The Commissioner is a transitional position, soon to be replaced with a three person Tokelau Employment Commission.
• The main economic activities other than the public service are the production and gathering of food, fishing, village maintenance, and handcrafts.
• Tokelauans are New Zealand citizens under the Citizenship Act.
• New Zealand provides financial support for Tokelau in a three-year Economic Support arrangement, the latest of which covers the period from 1 July 2007 to 30 June 2010.

This convention is applicable to Tokelau.

Ratified - 19 June 1954

Total ratifications - 4

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