Cook Islands delegation highlights commitment to fair labour practices at ILO meeting

Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Te-Hani Brown leads the Cook Islands delegation to the 112th International Labour Conference (ILC) which opens in Geneva on 3 June.

In a statement, the Department of Home Affairs said Brown, in his speech to the Asia Pacific Group (ASPAG) Ministerial Dialogue, highlighted that since 2015, the Cook Islands has been committed to achieving fair labour practices, improving labour standards and strengthening workers’ rights through the International Labour Organisation (ILO) programme.

She also highlighted the completion of the Cook Islands’ second Decent Work Country Programme, which had received support from the tripartite social partners in the Geneva delegation, reaffirming their dedication to the country’s Decent Work Agenda and social justice.

“As a young female leader, the Deputy Minister emphasised the Government’s commitment to addressing youth unemployment, promoting gender equality in the workplace and supporting people with disabilities in the Cook Islands,” the statement said.

Deputy Minister Brown and his delegation met with

Chihoko Asada-Miyakawa, ILO Assistant Director-General and Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, highlighted the Cook Islands Government’s strong commitment to its obligations as a member State.

The Deputy Minister and the tripartite delegation also had the opportunity to meet with the Director-General of the International Labour Organization, Gilbert Houngbo, to promote and strengthen relations between the Cook Islands Government and the ILO. The Ministry of Home Affairs said: “The meeting was intended to strengthen future cooperation as both parties are committed to improving working conditions for workers in their respective countries.”

“We thank the ILO for the continued technical support and capacity development opportunities it has provided to the Ministry of Interior over the past few years.”

Brown was accompanied on the visit by Internal Affairs Minister Anne Herman, Welfare Services Director Grace Chynoweth, Workforce Services Chief Labour Inspector Elizabeth Hosking, Cook Islands Workers Association Vice President Helen Maunga and Cook Islands Chamber of Commerce Vice President Eve Hayden.