4. SUE BRADFORD (Green) Link to this
to the Minister of Labour
What steps is the Government taking, if any, to review and strengthen legislation around the employment of children in New Zealand?
Hon TREVOR MALLARD (Minister of Labour) Link to this
I have received a report on this issue from Caritas Aotearoa - New Zealand. I have also received a request to meet with the organisation to discuss this report. I intend to take up that invitation. Any further steps will follow from that meeting.
Can the Minister explain why the long delayed review of policy and law in relation to child labour, advocated by the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child 10 years ago, is still not complete—in fact, does not seem to have happened at all?
Hon TREVOR MALLARD Link to this
I think there is a fundamental difference between the view of New Zealanders and the position of the United Nations on this issue. Most New Zealanders believe that some work is not bad for children.
Russell FairbrotherHon TREVOR MALLARD Link to this
Notwithstanding the views of some people at the United Nations, or the International Labour Organization, no. The question is whether we have all the health and safety rules in place, especially where contracting is concerned.
Will the Government guarantee that any review of child labour laws will ensure that children and young people, 15 years and under, are fully included in the consultation process, alongside other stakeholders such as employers, unions, community groups, and so on?
Is the Minister aware of indications made by Government members during the debate around my youth rates legislation earlier this year that the Government is seriously looking at carrying out a full consultation process and review, and will he speed that up given that the Caritas Aotearoa - New Zealand report he referred to states that some children are actually earning as little as $1.67 an hour?
Hon TREVOR MALLARD Link to this
I am a relatively new Minister in this particular area so I am not aware of the timetable and therefore I cannot say whether it will be sped up?
Does the Minister believe that New Zealand Post should follow the advice given to some child delivery workers, and advise their posties to talk to their parents if they have problems with dogs, difficult members of the public, or other dangers while on the job, and why should not child workers have the same protection as, for example, posties working for New Zealand Post?
Hon TREVOR MALLARD Link to this
I would have thought that one of the things a child employee should do when a problem occurs is talk to his or her parents. I would not exclude that. A number of other things could be done as well, but talking to the parents and getting advice is probably a good way to start.