103
The rate of Māori young people not engaged in employment, education or training
(“NEET”), while lessening slightly in recent years, is also higher than that of other
ethnic groups. As at September 2015, the NEET rate for Māori was around double
that of Europeans and the national average (20.8% for Māori; 9.4% for Europeans;
11.4% for other ethnic groups).50
104
The unemployment rate for Pacific peoples dropped over 2015 to 9.7 %. This is the
lowest rate since December 2008. The labour force participation rate for Pacific
peoples in 2015 was 65.2 % (up 1.5% from 2013).51 Fewer Pacific people were NEET,
16.5% (down from 18% the previous year).52
105
Data from the Disability Survey 201353 showed that only 50% of disabled adults
participated in the labour force, compared to 75% of non-disabled adults. The rate of
participation ranges from around 30% to 50% depending on the type of disability
Disabled people in the labour force are also considerably more likely to be
unemployed. In 2013 disabled people had an unemployment rate of 9%, compared
with 5 %for non-disabled people.54 The rate of unemployment for disabled people
was also recorded as 9% in the 2001 Disability Survey, showing the situation has not
improved in recent years.
106
A recent online survey showed that LGBTI workers were twice as likely to experience
bias in the workplace and 27% experienced discrimination at work due to their
sexual identity.55
107
The Commission recommends that the Committee urge the Government to:
• set targets to increase the representation of Māori, Pacific People and disabled
people in corporate governance and senior management in the public sector
over the next reporting period;
strengthen its efforts to increase the participation of Māori, Pacific People and
disabled people in the labour market; and
•
report back to the Committee within 18 months on what steps the Government
has taken to reduce bias and discrimination at work.
50
Statistics NZ, (November, 2015), Māori in the Labour Market – September 2015. Available at:
http://www.mbie.govt.nz/info-services/employment-skills/labour-market-reports/Māori-labour-market/Māori-sep-2015.
51
Ibid.
52
http://www.mbie.govt.nz/info-services/employment-skills/labour-market-reports/pacific-peoples-labour-markettrends/september-2015
53
http://www.stats.govt.nz/browse_for_stats/health/disabilities/disability-and-labour-market.aspx
54
Ibid.
55
Westpac survey: Kiwi workplace acceptance of Rainbow Community surface deep.
http://www.westpac.co.nz/rednews/business/westpac-survey-kiwis-only-surface-deep-acceptance-of-rainbowcommunity/
Page 31 of 93
Human Rights Commission submission to the Human Rights Committee in relation to New Zealand’s 6th periodic review under the ICCPR