ILO Conventions Ratified by NZ 2008

No. 2 - Unemployment, 1919

This Convention requires ratifying countries to deal with the problem of unemployment by:
- supplying to the International Labour Office statistics and other information about unemployment and the measures to deal with unemployment;
- operating a system of free employment agencies; and
- treating foreign workers no differently from citizens with regard to unemployment insurance, where such insurance systems are established.

Department of Labour

Ministry of Social Development

Statistics New Zealand

Through Work and Income, the Ministry of Social Development operates a nation-wide network of free public employment agencies (see Convention 88 for details). Work and Income is also responsible for the provision of income support payments (see Convention 44 for details).
In general, foreign employees who have a residence permit are entitled to income support if they are unemployed, and have been resident for two years. In cases of hardship, an emergency benefit can be paid earlier. Income support can also be provided to people claiming refugee status who have a work permit, and to quota refugees.
Foreign employees who are in New Zealand unlawfully; or only by virtue of a visitor's permit; a permit to study; a work permit; or a limited purposes permit, are generally not entitled to income support.
Statistical and other information is regularly supplied to the International Labour Office. This includes such material as the New Zealand Official Yearbook and Key Statistics from Statistics New Zealand; reports of numbers registered as unemployed, participating in employment programmes, and receiving income support payments from the Ministry of Social Development; and the annual reports of the Ministry of Social Development and the Department of Labour.

This Convention is not applicable to Tokelau.

Ratified - 29 March 1938

Total ratifications - 60