fbpx
Print this page
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!

More like this

Plant-based bubble bursts

OPINION: Talking about plant-based food: “Chicken-free chicken” start-up Sunfed has had its valuation slashed to zero by major investor Blackbird Ventures, and its products are no longer available in supermarkets.

Exploited by one of their own

OPINION: Milking It believes a recent Employment Relations Authority ruling on the exploitation of three migrant workers from Indonesia highlights a trend in New Zealand – migrant workers being mistreated and oppressed by one of their own.

'Not our fault!'

OPINION: Milking It wasn’t too surprised to hear Kiwis’ trust in media has sunk to a new low.

Avian flu in cows

A lethal form of avian influenza has been confirmed in US dairy cattle in Texas and Kansas, the US Department of Agriculture says.

Featured

Vaccinate against new lepto strain

A vet is calling for all animals to be vaccinated against a new strain of leptospirosis (lepto) discovered on New Zealand dairy farms in recent years.

TV series to combat food waste

Rural banker Rabobank is partnering with Food Rescue Kitchen on a new TV series which airs this weekend that aims to shine a light on the real and growing issues of food waste, food poverty and social isolation in New Zealand.

National

Frontline biosecurity 'untouchable'

Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard has reiterated that 'frontline' biosecurity services within Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) will not be cut…

Machinery & Products

New name, new ideas

KGM New Zealand, is part of the London headquartered Inchcape Group, who increased its NZ presence in August 2023 with…

All-terrain fert spreading mode

Effluent specialists the Samson Group have developed a new double unloading system to help optimise uphill and downhill organic fertiliser…