Tony Orman
The need for labour in the rural sector is being overlooked by the Labour Government, according to Kaikoura MP Stuart Smith.
“In Marlborough the viticulture sector is struggling through grape vintage without the necessary skilled winery staff as well as less Recognised Seasonal Employer workers that could be here to assist,” he said.
The Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme came into effect in April 2007. The policy allows the horticulture and viticulture industries to recruit workers from overseas for seasonal work when there are not enough New Zealand workers.
There is an administrative limit or cap on the number of RSE places that can be taken up in any one year. This cap was set at 5000 places in 2007, but the success of RSE has led to increased demand from employers and the cap has risen to 16,000 for 2021/22.
Marlborough Federated Farmer dairy section chairman Evan White said the answer as to whether there is a shortage is brief. “Yes. We are all struggling to find suitably qualified people to fill vacancies on dairy farms. Anybody that wants to work has the upper hand in both choice of jobs and rate of pay,” he replied.
“Other sectors are struggling too,” explained Evan. “For example, there are the agricultural contractors we employ, who can’t find experienced tractor drivers and most freight companies that we work with are struggling to find truck drivers. We are all working harder and longer hours, but honestly, it is a recipe for disaster.”
He found it difficult to comprehend why the current Government seems to want to bring the country to its knees while hard-working Kiwi farmers watch potential production and profits that benefit all go down the drain.
“I am convinced that the majority of farmers are working not only for their own interests but for the greater good. We just need the Government to listen and understand rather than just pretending to be onboard.”
Stuart said the shortage of dairy workers is impacting on the sector, as it is throughout New Zealand. “And yet disc jockeys can come and go as they please,” he said, referring to the recent case where British “DJ” Dimension entered New Zealand.
National’s Immigration spokesperson, Erica Stanford, and Agriculture spokesperson, Barbara Kuriger, say that last year the dairy sector requested border exceptions for 1500 international dairy workers that were urgently needed for this year’s calving season but the government granted only 300, meaning the sector will be short staffed and overworked for yet another season.
Barbara says hard-working farmers have helped to keep the rest of the economy afloat, but are being ignored by a government that does not care about the rural sector. “With border restrictions loosening, there’s simply no rationale for continuing to turn down border exceptions for agriculture workers who are critical to our economy,” she said.
“Farmers are suffering from significant stress and mental health issues. Needlessly forcing them to go through yet another season critically understaffed is only going to make this problem worse.”
