NZ Rural Contractors Push for Urgent VDAM Rule Reform
While the Government has moved quickly to make commercial hauliers' lot easier during the current fuel crisis, they appear to be stuck in the creep box when it comes to the agricultural industry.
RCNZ chief executive Andrew Olsen says the organisation is delighted to learn it's been successful in an application to WorkSafe to help members with their mental health and well-being.
WorkSafe will provide $60,000 in Covid Relief funding for an expanded programme of GoodYarn mental health literacy workshops.
"This will be put to use to get around the country to engage with our members and their staff. We know this season will be particularly difficult with overseas worker labour constraints," Olsen says.
"We have always viewed 'GoodYarn' as the right setting to have these conversations. The trouble to date has been it's been reserved for our conference. This funding injection means we can deploy more people to carry on this great work in between times for this season at least."
RCNZ president Helen Slattery, who is herself a GoodYarn facilitator, says the funding is a real shot in the arm for RCNZ's specific use for its members, many of whom are under pressure through labour shortages.
The WorkSafe funding comes just as GoodYarn received a $100,000 boost from the Waikato-based farming trust, Trinity Lands.
"Clearly the value of GoodYarn to assist rural people facing mental health challenges, especially in difficult times, is now being recognised and that's very welcome," Slattery says. "We'll be giving our members a heads up about the program in coming weeks and once we get resource and logistics sorted out. In the interim, some may appreciate knowing that some friendly help is on its way."
