Workforce access during the COVID-19 pandemic

We are in extraordinary times in 2020 and with the current outbreak of COVID-19 it is clear we still have a long way to go before things return to any rate of ‘normal’.

One of the biggest issues facing growers in this difficult time is labour and the looming workforce shortage for horticulture. Working Holiday Makers have declined significantly since the start of the pandemic and currently sit at around 85,000 still in Australia. This is down from the 141,000 backpackers in the country at the start of the year.

On top of this, feedback from multiple growers is that Seasonal Worker Employees are now considering returning home after extended stays in the country.

All options are on the table
AUSVEG, along with various industry bodies including the NFF Horticulture Council and Australian Fresh Produce Alliance (AFPA), has been working with the Federal Government to try and find solutions to this issue.

It is extremely difficult in the current environment to have any certainty about the opening up of international borders, particularly as COVID-19 cases have continued to grow in the last few weeks.

AUSVEG and industry bodies are looking at all options, including ways to incentivise seasonal workers and working holiday makers to remain in the regions and working in horticulture, as well as communication campaigns to better inform those workers who want to continue to stay and work.

Government is also concerned about the increase in local unemployment and we are working with government on a package to help provide incentives for workers and for growers.

It is important that as an industry, we recognise that in the current environment there is going to be multiple pieces of the puzzle in order for industry and government to be able to navigate through this challenge as best we can.

Planning is crucial
As a result, AUSVEG is urging growers to assist industry bodies and federal government by planning their workforce needs earlier, and where possible, advertising their needs earlier via the Harvest Labour Services website.

The access to accurate workforce data for industry and federal government has never been more important in ensuring growers have the workforce they need to continue to produce their food.

It is important that as an industry we provide accurate information and be as realistic as possible about our workforce needs.

Advertising earlier via the Harvest Labour Service, which is a FREE SERVICE, allows industry and government to have a central point for Australia’s horticulture labour needs, and will help industry advocate for improved policy settings to assist growers through this difficult time.

Labour Hire Services and forward planning  
AUSVEG, AFPA and the NFF have engaged with some major labour hire services bodies to help better coordinate driving a workforce into horticulture grower regions.

It is clear information is needed about growers’ workforce needs earlier to assist with the movement of workers, particularly with border restrictions and the quarantine and COVID-19 testing requirements.

Data is key – Horticulture Workforce Survey by Ernst & Young
Early next week, growers will be asked to contribute to a Horticulture Workforce Study by Ernst & Young.

The work is strictly confidential but will play a key role in better understanding horticulture workforce requirements in different regions around the country, at particular times and for particular commodities.

Please keep an eye out for the survey early next week.

Central information point for growers
Growers are encouraged to continue to use the Farmhub website with the most recent information on border closures during COVID-19, as well as business assistance information and health information.

You can view the Farmhub website here.

Horticulture Showcase in different languages
Growers and horticulture workers are urged to look at the Horticulture Showcase webpage at the Fair Work Ombudsman.

The page has been updated and helps provide employers and employees with information to assist with a range of issues and is available in a number of different languages.

• Pay & piecework rates
• Workplace health & safety
• Hours of work & overtime
• Deductions for accommodation, transport & job finding
• Sourcing labour and managing labour supply chains
• Ending employment
• Record keeping
• Overseas workers

Visit the Showcase now at fairwork.gov.au/horticulture.

Get Australia Growing
The National Farmers’ Federation this week launched a key policy document that has been submitted to government called ‘Get Australia Growing’.

The document helps outline the policy changes needed to help Australian agriculture as part of Australia’s economic recovery.

AUSVEG provided input into the document via the NFF Horticulture Council and you can view the document here.

For more information, contact AUSVEG National Manager – Public Affairs Tyson Cattle at tyson.cattle@ausveg.com.au, or 03 9882 0277.