A Cook Islands union leader says the country becoming a member of the International Labour Organisation will lead to immediate benefits for workers.
Cook Islands $20 dollar note Photo: banknoteworld.com
The Cook Islands became the 186th member of the United Nations body after a vote in Geneva this month.
The Cook Islands Workers Association President, Anthony Turua, says it is a milestone for his people, after the 20 years of campaigning by his association.
Mr Turua has been pushing for a closer look at the minimum wage and he says ILO membership will mean the availability of more resources.
"We could actually request for their assistance to come to the Cook Islands and to give us some sort of advice and guidelines of what is affordable minimum wage here in the Cook Islands and not only just that. Some of the concerns that we have is the health and safety issue. Our legislation is outdate and we need to just rehash that and bring it up to the current standard."