Fruit Rotting Because Of Massive Labor Shortage

Massive labor shortage in Hawke's Bay has caused fruits to rot on the ground. Hawke's Bay had officially declared the labor shortage six weeks ago. And the grant for tourists to work in the orchards had also expired on Friday.

Phil Paynter from the Johnny Appleseed Holdings said they had to let go of 22-hard working pickers last week when the labor shortage expired. He said many workers would have to reapply for visa variations which would take about a week. Paynter also said he had 115 overseas workers under the recognized seasonal employer (RSE) scheme, but they were only confirmed a fortnight before the harvest began.

Immigration New Zealand manager, Matt Hoskin said visa variations could only be granted 'for the duration of the declared labor shortage'. "If an individual was initially granted a variation of conditions for the Hawke's Bay and wants to continue working following the extension of the labor shortage, they will need to reapply for a further variation of conditions."

Anthony Rarere who runs the Pick Hawke's Bay Co-op said with the shortage, some orchards could not get the fruit off the trees quickly enough. He pointed out one orchard where the summer fruit just rotted on the tree and fell off. Rarere highlighted that workers were doing overtime because of the shortage. "Its hard. Its up in the morning at 5.30, 6am. Its working in cold conditions, rain, wind. And the long hours have resulted in fatigue and increase in accidents."

Growers are now pushing for changes to the recognized seasonal employer scheme.