[asia-apec 1196] NZ Trade Union Federation Media Release

[Gatt Watchdog]

NZ Trade Union Federation
PO Box 11-891
WELLINGTON
NEW ZEALAND
Fax 64 4 3848007
Email: Michael.Gilchrist at tradeshall.org.nz

MEDIA STATEMENT For Immediate Use

14 July 1999

ILO appoints committee on Prison Labour in NZ

The International Labour Organisation will examine whether the
Government's Inmate Employment Programme is in breach of ILO
Convention 29 on Forced or Compulsory Labour, Trade Union
Federation Secretary, Michael Gilchrist said today.

The ILO Governing body has accepted the TUF's representation
alleging breaches of the forced labour convention by the NZ
Government and appointed a committee from among its members to
examine the case.

"This procedure is not common," Mr Gilchrist said.  "We have had
to apply directly to the Governing body for two reasons.  First,
the Inmate Employment Scheme is a flagrant breach of Convention
29.  It exploits a captive workforce to provide cheap labour for
private enterprise.

"The second reason we have this representation is that the Council
of Trade Unions (CTU), whose job it is to represent New Zealand
workers at the ILO, has condoned the inmate employment scheme.
CTU President, Ken Douglas, has accepted a position on the Inmate
Employment Steering Committee which is helping to implement the
programme.  So the normal checking mechanism is not working."

Mr Gilchrist said that the TUF had little doubt that the
representation would succeed.
"I would be extremely surprised if this committee departs from the
principles the ILO has laid down time and again.  If you are going
to hire prisoners to private companies it must be with the freely
given consent of the prisoners, with no punishment or disadvantage
in refusal and these workers must receive normal wages and work
under comparable conditions.  There can be no exceptions.

"Indeed, in its own briefing papers, the Government anticipates
adverse comment from the ILO.  It is, however, preparing to brazen
out the situation.  This is despite the fact that as the ILO
observed in relation to certain prisons in Australia just last
year, the prohibition on hiring prisoners to private individuals,
companies or associations must be "absolute"."

"The New Zealand Government has called for "greater flexibility"
in the implementation of ILO Conventions as part of a programme to
"reform" the ILO.  No doubt their willingness to flout conventions
reflects their reforming zeal," Mr Gilchrist noted.

The prison population in New Zealand grew by 50% between 1986 and
1996 to some 5,600 persons.  It is now at a level of 1 prisoner
per 750 free citizens, the highest level since the 1880's and the
second highest rate in the developed world behind the USA.  649
jobs were created for prisoners in 18 months in 1997 and 1998,
mainly through the involvement of private enterprise.  In
advertising material for employers the Government states that: the
Inmate Employment Programme is "best suited to labour intensive
industries that need relatively little training."  Prisoners
forced to work receive between $12 and $25 for a 30 hour week.

For further information please contact: Michael Gilchrist 04 384
8963