Wednesday, 18 August 2021 11:00

Battle for workers

Written by  Milking It

OPINION: A battle for the dwindling pool of farm workers is brewing between NZ and our Aussie 'mates'.

As peak lambing and calving seasons approach, farmers from across the ditch are aiming to poach our workers - with the official backing of their Government.

To subsidise the plundering of workers, the Australian Government is offering up to AU$2,000 in relocation assistance to Kiwi workers ad those with valid work visas to move across the ditch and work on farms in regional areas. In Victoria, this payment rises with a AU$2,430 bonus for eight weeks of work. Southland Federated Farmers sharemilker chairman Jason Herrick said these incentives, coupled with quicker pathways to family reunification were causing immigrant farmworkers to depart for either Australia or Canada.

Just what our labour constrained economy needs. Thanks cobbers!

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