1.L.0. convention praised

Press, 14 October 1985, Page 20

1.L.0. convention praised

PA Wellington New Zealand should ratify the International Labour Organisation convention 87, on freedom of association, the DirectorGeneral of the 1.L.0., Mr Francis Blanchard, has said. Speaking at a press conference, Mr Blanchard expressed the hope that New Zealand would ratify convention 87 which he described as an extremely important one. “I do not know the facts well enough to offer myself an explanation but ... I take advantage of this exchange today to express the hope New Zealand will ratify convention 87,” Mr Blanchard said. He made the observation while commenting on the formal complaint of the New Zealand Employers’ Federation to the 1.L.0. on the Government’s reintroduction of compulsory unionism.

Mr Blanchard said con-

vention 87 provided for unionists to set up unions of their own choice. “Judging from your history and your tradition and your political belief and philosophy I would have thought that convention 87 would fit pretty well in your pattern,” he said. Mr Blanchard praised successive New Zealand Governments for ratifying 55 1.L.0. conventions on the

basis that they would be implemented. “From that point of view I think your record is good,” Mr Blanchard said. He described the New Zealand Government’s July 1 legislation, which made union membership compulsory for 18 months before reintroducing a form of voluntary unionism, as unique.

He expected the 1.L.0. Freedom of Association committee to be in a position to adjudicate on the New Zealand Employers’ Federation’s complaint by next March. Mr Blanchard said the Government’s long and comprehensive reply to the complaint had recently been received in Geneva.