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The Committee notes the comments attached to the Government’s report by Business New Zealand, the New Zealand Agency for International Development (NZAID), and the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions (NZCTU), which include a copy of the Periodical Report on Tokelau submitted by the Government of New Zealand to the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW/C/NZL/5, 14 October 2004, Appendix 4).

1. Article 2 of the Convention. Equal remuneration in the public service. The Committee notes the continuing restructuring in the country and notably of the public service. It notes that, following a decision of the Tokelau Public Service Commission of Inquiry, the Tokelau Employment Commission has been disestablished and that in future the village employment committees will be responsible for employment matters at the village level and the General Fono at the national level. Noting the Government’s statement that each village will be establishing its own employment system taking into account the principles of non-discrimination and equal remuneration, the Committee asks the Government to provide information, in its next report, on how the village committees are promoting the principle of the Convention.

2. The Committee notes that a new draft Public Service Manual and a draft Code of Conduct for the public service are being developed. The Code requires employers to develop a human resources policy which should, among other things, include "good and safe working conditions including freedom from harassment and discrimination". The Committee looks forward to the adoption of the draft Manual and the draft Code, and asks the Government, once the Code is adopted, to provide information on the practical application of this provision of the Code, in particular with respect to protection against discrimination for all components of wages and emoluments. Noting further Appendix 1 of the draft Public Service Manual containing the salary scales and grades of public service employees, the Committee also asks the Government to supply information, disaggregated by sex, on the number of women and men employed in each of the salary scales, once the Manual is adopted.

3. Application of the principle in the private sector. The Committee notes the information provided by NZAID and the NZCTU concerning the activities to promote gender equality and the economic empowerment of women through skills training and small business development, as well as through capacity building of the local women’s groups. It encourages the Government to continue its initiatives in this regard and asks it to provide information on how these activities have been contributing to the promotion of the principle of equal remuneration for men and women for work of equal value in the private sector.