A proposal by the Australian National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) to let thousands of Pacific Islanders into the country as guest workers has drawn approval from farmers struggling to get their produce picked, but criticism from some unions worried about an influx of cheap labour.
The Australian Workers Union has given the plan tentative support as long as no Australian workers lose their jobs, and the guest workers are paid full local rates, according to The Age.
The Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Union said the focus should be on the wages and conditions of low-income Australians, rather than imported workers.
Pacific Island workers to the tune of 25,000 would get seasonal access to Australian farms under the NFF proposal. It has been prompted by the severe shortage of fruit and vegetable pickers across the horticultural industry.
The A$7bn industry has seen some businesses suffer A$250,000 a year in lost production due to a shortfall of pickers and packers.
A pilot programme recommended by the NFF in being considered by the government, and Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is expected to discuss it at a Pacific Islands leaders forum in Niue on Tuesday.
The pilot would see 500-1,000 Pacific Islanders working in the October to April harvest season in Victoria (Swan Hill, Mildura and Robinvale), Queensland (Emerald) and NSW (Griffith).
