Visa changes bring fresh woes
Rural Contractors NZ says members are frustrated at having to work through more layers to get visas approved for skilled seasonal machinery operators ahead of the imminent season start. Andrew Olsen comments.
An estimated 28 million tonnes of crop worth $110 million will be at risk if overseas machinery operators are not allowed into the country, according to a survey by Rural Contractors of NZ.
The Bay of Island farmer, who preferred his name not to be used with this article, says contractors should stop moaning and reflect on what they have done to encourage and train local operators.
“These contractors want to pay minimum hourly rates and expect staff to work over a standard 13-hour day as the crop has to be harvested,” he told Rural News.
“I am available but I am not succumbing to slave labour or feeling guilty for asking for a fair and reasonable pay rate.”
Rural Contractors NZ executive director Roger Parton says if contractors charge farmers more, they end up looking for cheaper contractors.
Parton says recruiting and training young people for driving jobs in agriculture hasn’t been easy.
“Working in rural areas doesn’t appeal to young people; there is no broadband, they can’t use their phones and there’s no corner dairy for them to buy their lunch.”
