Brooke van Velden to Promote NZ Employment Reforms at Labour Conference

The conference serves as a key platform for discussing labour standards, employment rights, workplace safety, and emerging challenges affecting workers and businesses worldwide.

Workplace Relations and Safety Minister and Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden will represent New Zealand at one of the world's most significant labour policy forums later this month, using the opportunity to showcase the Government's employment reforms and strengthen international relationships.

The Minister is set to travel to Geneva, Switzerland, to attend the International Labour Conference (ILC), the annual gathering of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), which brings together government representatives, employers, workers' organisations, and policymakers from around the globe.

The conference serves as a key platform for discussing labour standards, employment rights, workplace safety, and emerging challenges affecting workers and businesses worldwide.

During her visit, Ms van Velden will address the conference plenary session, participate in the Asia Pacific Labour Ministers meeting, and engage in discussions on international labour standards, including a significant debate on the future regulation of platform-based workers.

The trip will also include visits to London and Singapore, where the Minister will hold meetings with senior government leaders and officials on issues spanning labour market reform, workplace safety, immigration policy, and citizenship frameworks.

Opportunity to Showcase New Zealand's Employment Reforms

A major focus of the Minister's participation in Geneva will be promoting recent employment law reforms introduced by the New Zealand Government.

Ms van Velden said the conference provides an important opportunity to share New Zealand's policy developments with member states from around the world and explain how the Government is seeking to balance worker protections with economic flexibility and business confidence.

Among the reforms she plans to highlight is the Government's recently introduced gateway test, which is designed to provide greater certainty regarding employment status and contractual relationships.

"This conference is an important opportunity to highlight our recent employment law reforms to member states from across the world," Ms van Velden said.

"I will discuss the gateway test introduced by this Government, which provides businesses and workers with greater certainty when entering into contract arrangements."

The Government argues that uncertainty surrounding employment classifications can create challenges for both employers and workers, particularly in modern labour markets where contracting and flexible work arrangements are becoming increasingly common.

The gateway test is intended to establish clearer criteria for determining whether a worker is an employee or an independent contractor, helping reduce disputes and improve confidence in employment arrangements.

Balancing Flexibility and Worker Protections

According to the Minister, one of the key objectives of the Government's labour reforms is to create an environment that supports innovation and business growth while ensuring workers continue to receive appropriate protections.

The Government believes that clearer employment rules can encourage investment, reduce compliance uncertainty, and enable businesses to adopt new operating models with greater confidence.

"At the same time, workers need confidence that their rights and protections remain secure," Ms van Velden said.

"By providing greater clarity around employment status through our gateway test, New Zealand is creating the conditions for increasing business confidence and for innovation to thrive, while maintaining confidence that workers are appropriately protected."

The issue has gained international relevance as many countries grapple with questions surrounding gig economy work, freelance employment, and evolving workplace structures.

New Zealand's approach is expected to attract interest from international delegates facing similar challenges within their own labour markets.

The Minister said she looks forward to discussing New Zealand's model and believes it may provide useful insights for other jurisdictions considering reforms.

Platform Worker Standards Under International Discussion

One of the most closely watched topics at this year's International Labour Conference will be the growing role of platform-based work and the labour standards that should apply to workers operating through digital platforms.

The rise of app-based services, online marketplaces, and digital labour platforms has transformed employment opportunities around the world, but it has also raised questions regarding worker rights, benefits, and legal protections.

The International Labour Organization is currently examining how international labour standards should evolve to address these changes and ensure workers in platform-based industries receive appropriate protections.

New Zealand will participate in these discussions as part of the conference's standards-setting agenda.

The debate is expected to attract considerable attention, with countries taking different approaches to regulating platform work and defining employment relationships.

For governments, employers, and workers alike, finding the right balance between flexibility, innovation, and worker protections remains one of the defining labour policy challenges of the modern economy.

Strengthening Regional Cooperation Through Asia-Pacific Engagement

In addition to the conference plenary, Minister van Velden will participate in the Asia Pacific Labour Ministers meeting.

The gathering brings together labour ministers from across the Asia-Pacific region to discuss shared economic and workforce challenges, exchange policy experiences, and identify opportunities for regional cooperation.

Topics commonly discussed at such meetings include workforce participation, labour shortages, skills development, occupational health and safety, digital transformation, and employment regulation.

Participation in the forum provides New Zealand with an opportunity to strengthen relationships with regional partners while contributing to broader discussions about the future of work.

As labour markets continue to evolve in response to technological change, demographic shifts, and economic uncertainty, regional cooperation is becoming increasingly important in addressing common challenges.

Meetings in London to Focus on Citizenship and Labour Reform

Following her participation in Geneva, the Minister will travel to London as part of a broader programme of engagements linked to her Workplace Relations and Safety and Internal Affairs portfolios.

In the United Kingdom, discussions will focus on recent labour market reforms implemented by both governments, as well as New Zealand's recently announced citizenship test.

The Government has indicated that sharing experiences and lessons learned from policy reforms can help strengthen bilateral relationships and support more effective policy development.

The United Kingdom has undertaken a number of labour market changes in recent years aimed at improving workforce participation, addressing labour shortages, and responding to evolving employment trends.

The meetings are expected to provide an opportunity to compare approaches and discuss areas of mutual interest.

The citizenship test, which has recently been announced by the New Zealand Government, is also expected to be a topic of discussion, reflecting the Minister's responsibilities within the Internal Affairs portfolio.

Singapore Visit Highlights Strong Bilateral Relationship

The final stage of the Minister's trip will take her to Singapore, where discussions will focus on workplace safety, labour market reforms, and emerging policy challenges.

Singapore is widely regarded as one of Asia's most advanced economies and has developed a reputation for innovative labour market policies and strong workplace safety frameworks.

Ms van Velden said New Zealand's longstanding partnership with Singapore makes it a valuable opportunity for policy exchange and cooperation.

"New Zealand has a longstanding relationship with Singapore and it is one of our closest partners in South East Asia," she said.

"I look forward to the opportunity to discuss these reforms, alongside emerging issues and challenges."

The meetings are expected to explore how both countries are responding to changing workforce dynamics, technological developments, and evolving employer and employee expectations.

Workplace safety initiatives and labour market flexibility are likely to feature prominently in discussions, given the importance both governments place on maintaining productive and safe workplaces.

Promoting New Zealand's Approach on the Global Stage

The international visit reflects the Government's broader effort to position New Zealand as an active participant in global policy discussions relating to employment, workplace safety, and public administration.

By engaging with international partners and sharing domestic reform experiences, ministers aim to ensure New Zealand remains informed about emerging global trends while contributing its own perspectives to international debates.

For Minister van Velden, the trip provides an opportunity to present New Zealand's labour reforms to a global audience, strengthen international partnerships, and gather insights that may help inform future policy development.

As countries around the world confront challenges such as workforce transformation, technological disruption, labour shortages, and changing employment models, forums like the International Labour Conference continue to play a vital role in shaping the future of work.

New Zealand's participation signals its commitment to remaining engaged in those discussions while promoting policies aimed at fostering economic growth, business confidence, and fair outcomes for workers.