Friday, March 29, 2024

Worker shortage worries pig farmers

Avatar photo
Pork producers are calling on the Government to urgently review its policies on skilled migrant workers as severe staff shortages hit. 
Reading Time: 2 minutes

Pig farmers rely on experienced workers from overseas to meet a shortfall in staff with the necessary skills required to work with the country’s herd.

However, they are concerned skilled migrants already working on farms might not have their visas renewed or existing workers trying to return from overseas will be blocked, leaving many farmers with significant staffing shortages.

“The sector’s strong preference would be to have a pool of available skilled and unskilled New Zealand workers,” New Zealand Pork chief executive David Baines said. 

“However, pig farming is a relatively niche sector in NZ and the reality is that there is a significant shortage of New Zealanders applying for roles.

“The industry relies on a supply of skilled migrant workers who have been trained in their home countries. 

“The numbers in total are small, particularly compared to major industries such as dairy, but the productivity of the industry is very vulnerable because of the precision nature of pig farming.”

NZ Pork has requested an urgent meeting with Immigration Minister Iain Lees-Galloway.

A survey of pig farmers found many fear their existing skilled migrant staff might be required to leave NZ as a result of immigration measures taken in response to the covid-19 pandemic.

Multiple farmers raised concerns migrant staff might not have their visas renewed this year, that migrant workers cannot enter NZ and existing staff on visas are facing difficulties returning from overseas visits. 

Further concerns include the cost of visas, processing times, a lack of pathway to residence and a lack of consistency from Immigration NZ in terms of visa length and conditions.

“While we recognise that covid-19 has and will continue to leave New Zealanders out of work and hopefully create some opportunities for New Zealanders who are prepared and willing to work on pig farms, the sector cannot wait for such people to perhaps become available.

“Our animals need continuous, skilled and committed care to be provided,” Baines said.

Total
0
Shares
People are also reading