New Zealand post-harvest kiwifruit companies are helping their seasonal workers from the South Pacific island Vanuatu after their homes and livelihoods were destroyed by cyclone Pam in March.
Seeka chief executive Michael Franks told the Bay of Plenty Times it is offering financial assistance to its Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) workforce from Vanuatu to enable people to come and work in New Zealand this year. Once in New Zealand, Seeka will work with them regarding donations and items to assist in rebuilding their homes, Franks said.
Eastpack human resources manager Heather Burton told the paper it had set up a fund for Vanuatu workers.
'We are also collecting clothing, shoes, linen and other items that can be distributed to the workers who have arrived with very little,' she said. We are exploring the possibility of sending a container back once we have established the needs of the workers.'
DMS chief operations officer Derek Masters said it had 16 Vanuatu workers and 20 Balinese up from 16 Balinese and eight Vanuatu workers last year. They were an important component of the workforce, he told the paper.
'Our RSE workers have gained considerable skills over the last five years and now hold, in some cases, important functional roles within our packhouses.'
DMS would be helping its Vanuatu workers on an individual basis, and most likely a community basis, Masters said.
In 2013/14, 7855 RSE workers arrived in New Zealand, and the largest group was 3,070 from Vanuatu, followed by 1538 from Tonga, the Bay of Plenty Times said.
