A win for bringing overseas workers

However, there are a couple of bright spots on the horizon. At the time of writing, we have seen the last three dairy auctions all increase – meaning dairy prices have jumped 48% since April. It is good to be talking about positive increases in dairy prices – albeit small – for once.

Speaking of positive news, for some time now Rural Contractors NZ (RCNZ) has been working with Immigration New Zealand to see how we can resolve the problem of bringing in overseas workers for the harvest season. 

After much input, many meetings and a lot of hard work by RCNZ – together with Immigration NZ – we have come up with a solution, which we believe will solve many of the problems that rural contractors currently experience every year and make it much easier to bring in overseas workers.

The deal agreed between Immigration NZ and RCNZ will work like this: 

Rural Contractors New Zealand will apply for an approval in principle (AIP) on behalf of all members of RCNZ. 

Contractors will then be able to apply online for a visa for the person being recruited, without having to advertise, go to WINZ and all the other requirements currently causing so much work. 

Contractors will need to obtain from RCNZ a letter of support to enable the application to proceed. 

Once in NZ, the holder of the visa will be able to move freely between RCNZ member companies – as work, weather, etc dictate. 

All processing will probably be done by one or two people in the Wellington office of Immigration NZ, to simplify and standardise the procedures. 

As RCNZ will hold the AIP, there are a number of responsibilities placed on us and it will be important that all those contractors who wish to use this scheme comply with all conditions and requirements of it.

For starters, there will need to be a written contract between RCNZ and each member company participating in the scheme, to ensure each knows their responsibilities and that RCNZ and other member companies are protected.  If these conditions are not complied with, the AIP can be rescinded. 

These conditions include that the AIP is only available to full, financial members of RCNZ. Also a contractor or company must hold current registered contractor accreditation with RCNZ. This is a safeguard to ensure that the appropriate statutory and regulatory compliances are being met. 

Another condition is that RCNZ’s individual employment agreements must be used for each person coming from overseas. There will be minimum wage rates to be applied, these have yet to be determined and we will be seeking feedback from members about the appropriate levels of remuneration currently applied so a fair minimum can be set. 

Those applying to the scheme will also have to fully comply with RCNZ’s Code of Ethics and the Code for Employing Overseas Staff. Contractors will also be required to advise when an overseas worker moves to another company and also the name of that company if known. Should a worker go to a company that is not part of this scheme, they will be in breach of their visa. 

Because of the work involved in setting up this scheme – and the imminent start of the new season – we have decided to start this in time for June 2016. The AIP will be for one year and if all goes well it will move out to three years. 

The June 2016 start date will also allow for all the paperwork to be completed and legally checked and for RCNZ members to obtain registered contractor accreditation. 

I have to stress that Immigration NZ will hold RCNZ accountable for this scheme and therefore we will ensure that application for an overseas worker is as it should be. Therefore our letter of support – which will enable a contractor to use the AIP process – will not be issued until we are completely satisfied all is in order. 

RCNZ will be obligated to advise Immigration NZ of any breach and if necessary remove a member company from the AIP provision. 

Despite all of this, I am confident that this new scheme will be of great benefit to all rural contractors who want to bring in overseas staff and it will bolster the status of RCNZ’s registered contractor accreditation. 

It is also a drawcard and a good excuse to join RCNZ – as if you needed one – as the cost of membership is significantly less than the cost of advertising and the application process for bringing in international workers on your own behalf.

They say ‘good things come to those who wait’ and that is definitely the case in this instance! It also shows the true value of belonging to an industry organisation like RCNZ.

Wellsford-based agricultural contractor Steve Levet is the president of the Rural Contractors New Zealand (RCNZ).