New Zealand Winegrowers have applauded the government’s commitment to increasing the number of Recognised Seasonal Employers (RSE) scheme members.
The RSE numbers have been increased to 20,750, and sensible improvements have been made to the scheme.
“The RSE scheme has been vital to the growth of the wine industry. The changes announced today to boost RSE worker numbers will enable the industry to plan with certainty for future growth,” said Philip Gregan, CEO of New Zealand Winegrowers.
“We strongly support employing New Zealanders in the wine industry. RSE workers focus on the seasonal peaks, supporting our permanent workforce. These improvements strike a careful balance between ensuring Pacific workers have well-paid work and employers can access the workers they need when needed.”
Gregan said that many workers come to New Zealand with limited time to maximise their earning capability, and the changes allowing regional and employer movement have added flexibility to help them achieve this.
He also supported skills training so workers could return home with more than financial benefits and that pay rates could now reflect experience. Multiple entry visas made sense, especially if workers had to return home for family reasons.
“We particularly welcome the return to the scheme’s pre-COVID settings by removing the accommodation cost restrictions and restoring the minimum hours entitlement calculation to a monthly average.”
The addition of Timor-Leste to the team was seen as future-proofing the scheme’s central role in Pacific relationships.
The industry was confident that these changes would benefit both industry and the Pacific workers who play such an essential role in New Zealand’s vineyards.
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