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.

It is no secret that industry relies on international workers through the various visa programs to work in the field and in sheds – they are a vital source of labour for our industry.

The extension of Seasonal Worker Programme 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.

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.