vegetables

50
Seasonal worker recruitments a
boost to industry
VEGETABLE GROWERS ARE INCREASINGLY TAKING ON PACIFIC ISLANDER WORKERS
AS PART OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT’S SEASONAL WORKER PROGRAMME. THIS
INITIATIVE HAS PROVED TO BE A SUCCESS FOR BUSINESSES ACROSS THE HORTICULTURE
INDUSTRY, PROVIDING BENEFITS FOR GROWERS AND WORKERS ALIKE.
The horticulture industry
relies heavily on seasonal
workers and the biggest
challenge for any expanding
business is finding
productive, skilled returning
seasonal workers.
To assist growers and
businesses with this issue,
the Federal Government
introduced the Seasonal
Worker Programme (SWP) on
1 July 2012, building on the
Pacific Seasonal Worker Pilot
Scheme that concluded on 30
June 2012.
The benefits of the SWP can
outweigh the initial investment
required through increased
productivity, improved quality
control, wastage reduction
and reduced training and
supervision costs, coupled with
peace of mind that the workers
are a reliable source of skilled,
compliant, returning workers
every season or all year round,
if needed.
Australia’s largest asparagus
producer Vizzarri Farms, located
in Koo Wee Rup, Victoria,
works with The Connect Group
– Seasonal Workers Australia –
using the Federal Government
SWP in recruiting seasonal
workers.
Starting with a small
crew of Vanuatu workers in
2010, Vizzarri Farms has
increased SWP worker numbers
year on year and now they
make up a major percentage
of the workforce.
“If we don’t have a secure
workforce, we can’t deliver
food to the nation and abroad.
We need reliable, productive,
committed and skilled
returning workers to get the
crops from the paddock to
the consumer. The SWP has
allowed us to achieve that,”
Vizzarri Farms Managing
Director Joe Vizzarri said.
On-farm accommodation
is also provided for the
Pacific Island workers.
“Workers being onsite has its
advantages. These guys are far
more flexible, loyal, have the
right attitude to work and are
here when I need them. They
are here to work hard and
they certainly do that.
“Utilising the SWP gives us
the confidence to develop the
business. This is a business
investment that is paying
dividends,” Mr Vizzarri said.
In December 2014, Riviera
Farms implemented the first
SWP trial in the East Gippsland
region and in 2015 worker
numbers doubled on the first
season’s intake.
“Using The Connect Group
gives me confidence that the
workers are looked after, paid
correctly and fully compliant,”
Riviera Farms Managing
Director Nelson Cox said.
“We’ve invested time, money,
and effort into this strategy,
including setting up compliant
accommodation and
purchasing suitable transport
“We started the Seasonal Worker Programme (SWP) with
Connect in 2015 and the team is happy, smiling, hard working
with good leaders. They average picking rates that often
surpass previous groups.”
– Pitchford Produce Managing Director Graeme Pitchford,
Goolwa, South Australia.
“We’ve worked with Connect for three years and the SWP works
for us. Best labour investment decision I have ever made.”
– AA Mango Contractors Managing Director Andrew Dalglish,
Katherine, Northern Territory.
“After using SWP workers we found the program to be as
cost-effective as previous models, without the hassle and
worry that everything was right. Connect Group made it easy
for us to make a start.”
– Vernview Orchards Managing Director and apple grower
Sue Finger, Yarra Valley, Victoria.
“I can tell the Team Leader what needs to be done and walk
away with the confidence that the task will be done well, on
time and without fuss.”
– Riviera Farms Agronomist Paul Smith, Lindenow, Victoria.