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August 23, 2022
Seasonal worker scheme under scrutiny
Peter Verschaffelt
Posted On August 23, 2022
Download AudioMinister for Pacific Peoples Aupito William Sio has welcomed an inquiry into the conditions faced by seasonal workers.
Workplace Relations Minister Michael Wood says the Labour Inspectorate will conduct an urgent examination of the Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme over the next six weeks.
Mr Sio says the Sunday television program on worker exploitation and poor living conditions showed how a major onjective of the scheme, ensuring the workers could return home with money in their pockets., wasn’t being met.
“We saw in the last two years with Covid how many of them were stranded here while the jobs weren’t on because they’re seasonal. They were still having to fork out expenditure for accommodation, food etc,” he says.
Mr Sio says the Labour Inspectorate inquiry is a prelude to a full review next year of the scheme, which has generally worked well for workers and employers.
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