AUSVEG, the industry representative for Australia’s vegetable and potato growers, is supporting calls from the fresh produce industry for the government to immediately extend the visas of vital foreign workers to ensure that growers have the workforce they need to supply fresh fruit and vegetables to Australian consumers.

AUSVEG is calling on support from the federal government to extend visas for workers under the Seasonal Worker Programme and Working Holiday Makers if they continue to work in agriculture.

“Fruit and vegetables help Australians have a healthy, strong immune system and fresh produce is essential to a healthy, well-balance diet – Australians need fresh produce and growers need workers to supply this produce to consumers,” said AUSVEG National Manager – Public Affairs Tyson Cattle.

“Growers would love to employ a local workforce, but the reality is that our industry relies on international workers through the various visa programs such as the Seasonal Workers Program, the Pacific Labour Scheme and the Working Holiday Makers Program to work in the field and in sheds – they are a vital source of labour for our industry.”

“The extension of Seasonal Worker Program and Working Holiday Maker visas is a much-needed short-term solution to what will become a larger problem as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic continues to limit the number of foreign workers who can come to Australia.”

“In addition to this, our industry needs more mobile and flexible working arrangements for those foreign workers who are already in Australia so that growers can have more confidence that they can continue to supply fresh produce to consumers.”

“Visa extensions for seasonal workers and backpackers will help provide some certainty for growers, who have already experienced extreme hardship through drought and the summer bushfires – any help that the government can provide will be welcomed by industry.”

“Industry also welcomes local workers who are willing and able to work on farms and who may be interested in working in horticulture due to the current economic situation,” said Mr Cattle.

ENDS
MEDIA CONTACT: Shaun Lindhe, AUSVEG National Manager – Communications
Phone: 03 9882 0277, Mobile: 0405 977 789, Email: shaun.lindhe@ausveg.com.au