Tuesday, 13 April 2021 13:55

Open MIQ spaces for farm workers

Written by Staff Reporters

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Farmers want the Government to open available space in managed isolation and quarantine (MIQ) to bring in much-needed workers for the primary industries.

Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins estimates that the Australian quarantine-free travel bubble will free up 1,000 to 1,300 beds in MIQ a fortnight.

"MIQ spacing has been continually quoted as a barrier for getting the workers we need. With more beds becoming available, it should now allow those with agricultural skills to enter the country," Federated Farmers immigration spokesperson Chris Lewis says.

"With continued low unemployment and the majority of available workers remaining in the urban centres, all of the primary industries are crying out for labour."

Farm Source, a leading job website for the dairy industry, currently lists over 1,100 vacancies on farm, far higher than the usual numbers for this time of year, Lewis wrote.

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