Migrant workers have been able to make it to New Zealand this year thanks to the Government’s one-way quarantine-free travel corridor for vaccinated workers under the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme. Webb Fruit owner Simon Webb said the scheme came at the right time for worried orchard- and vineyard employers.
Webb said his orchard is now fully staffed with seasonal workers - four are from Covid-free Vanuatu and the rest are students. It had been difficult finding the staff, says Webb, even though he had begun the search in early June.
“I have a lot of returning staff, school and university kids. A lot of them are from our hometown, Cromwell. So you know their pedigree, you know they're good kids from good families, and [they are] going to turn up to work every day.”
Vineyard employers are trying to find creative ways to entice workers with a labour shortage caused by closed borders.
Source: stuff.co.nz
