By RNZ
The horticulture industry says changes to the Recognised Seasonal Employment (RSE) scheme will give employers clarity and help to protect workers.
The Government said rule changes would be phased in over the next two years.
They included stronger and clearer accommodation standards for RSE workers, who also would have greater flexibility to move between employers during their time in Aotearoa.
The workers would soon be able to apply for a migrant exploitation protection visa, allowing them to break contract and stay in the country for up to six months.
Immigration Minister Erica Stanford said other changes would aim to “simplify” wage deductions, while extending accreditation time for “exemplary” growers to six years.
Horticulture New Zealand said the changes would reduce unnecessary compliance for trusted employers.
Chief executive Kate Scott said standardised cost-recovery agreements, clearer rules on allowable costs and stronger complaints processes would make the system easier for workers to understand and navigate.
“This policy review is timely for a scheme that has delivered enduring benefits for growers, workers and Pacific communities for almost two decades,” she said.
“Practical changes are needed to keep it fit for the future.
“The RSE scheme fills genuine seasonal gaps when enough local workers are not available, helping growers harvest crops on time while continuing to recruit, train and employ New Zealanders.”
Orchardist Paul Paynter, general manager of Yummy Fruit, said the changes would make complying less onerous for growers.
He said seasonal fluctuations meant growers were sometimes short-staffed, and it would be less complicated to transfer workers from one grower to another.
Paynter told RNZ’s Morning Report problems in the sector had been “90-plus per cent with labour contractors rather than with established businesses like ours”.
“When you’re long-standing, and you’re a family business, and you’ve got to do this harvest every year, you’re not going to play ducks and drakes.
“You’re very reliable operators, and they’ve got a track record to prove it.”