Thursday, March 28, 2024

Fruit-picking subsidy fails to draw Kiwis

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The Government’s Seasonal Work Scheme (SWS) subsidising jobseekers has lured just 195 new fruit pickers to move to where work is.
The shortage of workers in the kiwifruit industry was partly solved by a weak crop, and partly by the return of at least some backpackers in time for the harvest.
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Pre-pandemic, temporary migrant workers from the Pacific Islands were the backbone of the horticultural seasonal workforce but with border closures preventing their entry, the Government tried to attract New Zealanders to where the work was.

Announced in November, the SWS aimed to fill the shortage by giving financial aid and support to people relocating for horticultural work. This was alongside other measures, such as bringing beneficiaries into picking jobs.

Minister for Social Development Carmel Sepuloni is hesitant to label the scheme a success or a failure.

“I think it’s a bit premature to assess the success of the scheme,” Sepuloni said in an interview.

“It’s important to acknowledge there are significant barriers which deter take-up of seasonal roles. These barriers include relocating to other regions for temporary work, working conditions, limited affordable accommodation options and family commitments. 

“The employment is not always the most accessible. Where the work is and how you get there can be a deterrent. As can be the short-term nature of the work, and whether or not someone is able physically to do the work. So there are a lot of factors to think about.”

FIRST Union strategic project coordinator Anita Rosentreter criticised the Government and horticulture sector.

“Until the horticulture industry commits to addressing long-standing issues like low pay, a lack of job security and, in some cases, worker exploitation, the labour shortage will continue. While we respect the Government’s attempt to support workers into fruit-picking jobs, these are band-aid solutions,” Rosentreter said.

“Aotearoa’s horticulture industry is worth billions and employers need to stop pussyfooting around and front up with living wages and guaranteed hours.” 

While just 195 workers entered the horticulture industry via the SWS, the scheme was just one of myriad measures to bring people into seasonal work, with 2,631 beneficiaries doing so.

Those beneficiaries were almost certainly already living locally, whereas the SWS was for people willing to move regions.

The economy has also performed far better than was expected when the pandemic lockdowns began a year ago. Doomsday job losses predicted at the start of the pandemic has not materialised. Currently, the unemployment rate sits at 4.9%, not dissimilar from pre-covid levels.

“We haven’t experienced job losses to the extent we thought we would. There are a lot of jobs out there, particularly in construction, so when New Zealanders make the choice between a permanent and consistent full-time job versus a temporary seasonal job the reality is that quite often they will take the permanent role,” Sepuloni said.

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