Call for extra workers 'impractical'

The government-funded Vakameasina programme will teach cyclone-proof building skills next year. This year the workers are learning how to cook with New Zealand ingredients. Photo / Paul Taylor

Labour's call for the Government to immediately let in 300 more people from Vanuatu, under the Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme has been labelled impractical by the local industry.

Labour's Immigration spokeswoman Sue Moroney said an extra allowance was a quick and effective way of providing support to those suffering devastation from Cyclone Pam.

"Workers from Vanuatu take up almost half of the capped RSE positions available for our Pacific neighbours, so it is obviously a scheme that works well for them and can provide some well-timed relief in the aftermath," she said.

Horticulture New Zealand national labour co-ordinator Jerf van Beek said it was not practical. Accommodation had to be first vetted by government labour inspectors and many employers were not "in tune" with the culture.

"That is the level of care that we as an industry want," he said.

"We had a time where we had people sleeping under bridges - we don't want to go there any more.

"Our product is high class and high value. Overseas buyers are very discerning and we need to say, hand on heart, our workers are looked after well."

There are 3000 Ni-Vans in New Zealand under the scheme, 800 in Hawke's Bay. Numbers were carefully controlled so regional labour markets were not "saturated".

After Cyclone Pam employers were asked to increase pastoral care and the industry was assisting Ni-Van workers take goods home to help them rebuild, he said.

Donated goods were being shipped by employers and a stakeholders group had organised an extra baggage allowance of 7kg for workers flying home.

The largest employer of Ni-Vans in Hawke's Bay is Crasborn Group.

Crasborn pack house operations manager Ross Howard said next year would be the best time to increase the number of Ni-Vans - the current season was well under way.

He said when Cyclone Pam hit three workers immediately returned. The biggest issue for those remaining was communication.

The company had many workers taking part in a joint RSE application by employers, extending their stay thanks to South Island pruning work.

An exceptional few were able to save more than $20,000 over that period, especially returning apple pickers living frugally. Some were completing their seventh season with Crasborn.

For the past two years Vanuatu earned more money from the RSE scheme than tourism, he said.

The scheme changed lives. A Ni-Van man in his 50s proudly showed him a picture of a concrete slab for his new house, replacing the usual dirt floor.

Mr van Beek said employers and the government-funded Vakameasina programme would help with improved building skills. Vakameasina had a purpose-built classroom in Hastings where a variety of classes are provided for RSE workers.

"Once they come back next year we hope to do more capacity building, so they can understand the requirements for more resilience back home.

"We will assist them with training to build cyclone-proof homes. Instead of using nails we will use metal strapping and screws to make houses more cyclone-proof and also help with design."

Last year the government increased the number on the scheme from 8000 to 9000."