Major Australian retailers, including Coles, Woolworths, Metcash and Aldi, have agreed to work with representatives from the fresh produce sector to resolve issues within the labour hire industry.
Michael Worthington, CEO of PMA Australia-New Zealand, has welcomed the move, saying that tighter management systems need to be put in place.
“All the retailers want to see the end of labour hire firms that blatantly break our employment laws,” Worthington explained. “They want employers to consistently implement best practice in the way they manage their employment contractors and their direct seasonal employees. There is recognition that Australia’s existing laws, if enforced, can address the issues, but improved management practices, tighter regulation and even some form of accreditation, will go a long way to solving the problem.”
PMA is working with the Australian National Farmers Federation to bring about these regulatory changes, which cover a range of produce sectors, especially those that rely heavily on back-packer and migrant labour during seasonal harvest peaks.
'We know that Government is looking to appoint a taskforce to look at this issue, which we welcome, but it is important that the food sector starts now to actively identify and implement solutions that have broad industry acceptance,” Worthington said.
