May 09, 2018
Poor conditions behind worker shortage
First Union says the kiwifruit industry hasn't done enough to assure itself of a supply of pickers for the season.
The Ministry of Social Development has declared a seasonal labour shortage across the Bay of Plenty, meaning people from overseas with visitor visas can apply to work for the next month.
First Union secretary Dennis Maga says the decision seems at odds with the government's regional development initiatives.
He says a labour inspectorate investigation last season identified major problems, with half the employers not paying a minimium wage.
Foreign workers are particularly vulnerable to exploitation, including being forced to work long hours which are not properly counted.
"We are looking for the government to increase the number of labour inspectors and secondly with Shane Jones being assigned to regional developoment, which the union supports, will put more effort to ensure these jobs will be offered to the local workforce because we believe the young ones will be keen to work in this area but they have to improve the minimum wage and the work conditions to attract the local workforce to work in that industry," Mr Maga says.
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