An unfounded fear of exploitation is hurting the supply of seasonal workers who need to be educated on the difficulties of farm labour, a major harvest labour service supplier says.
While January will herald a difficult adjustment period for fruit and vegetable picking in Australia with the introduction of a 15 per cent backpacker tax, other problems were affecting labour supply, according to Scott Cameron, Madec’s manager of Harvest Labour Services.
Madec supplied almost 15,000 seasonal workers to the horticultural industry last year from Griffith, to Shepparton, to Swan Hill to the Adelaide Hills. About 65 per cent were on holiday working visas (mostly backpackers).
Mr Cameron said while the industry was waiting with bated breath for the repercussions of the backpacker tax, there were also fundamental issues affecting the industry, including a fear of exploitation that has taken hold in the backpacking workforce. New workers were often upset at rates for piece work (per bucket or per kilo). Many left their employers after only a few days.
“Farm work is not easy. When workers first get paid they find they are getting just $8 - $10 an hour and they suddenly claim they are being exploited,’’ Mr Cameron said. ’’What they sometimes fail to understand is that farm labour is hard and requires skill. If they stick at it, by 10 days they could be earning between $17 - $23 an hour, in line with what they were told, after they’ve learned the appropriate skills. The best citrus pickers can get $30-$35 an hour.’’
He said backpackers needed to be “willing to cope with all conditions”. An education program was needed so backpackers understood farm work skills.
Instead of a paucity of workers this season, Madec has seen a rush of applications as backpackers seek to perform tax-free regional work before the 15 per cent backpacker tax takes effect from January 1. But extensive storm damage to fruit crops in the Riverland and Adelaide Hills had reduced vacancies, he said.
Farm work is not easy. When workers first get paid they find they are getting just $8 - $10 an hour and they suddenly claim they are being exploited
- Scott Cameron
“Growers are having no trouble getting fruit off. Backpackers are eager to get their regional work done, but come January [with the tax], we are bracing ourselves for what will happen. I think in the end the 15 per cent is a good result. Everyone has to pay tax. Although there may be a backlash at beginning, the issue will even itself out.’’
The Federal Government horse traded in the Senate after its original plan for a 32.5pc tax was revised to 19pc. Minor parties forced the tax down to 10.5pc, before a Greens- government deal brokered a 15pc tax. The Government committed an extra $100m to Landcare programs, and slashed the tax on backpacker super payments from 95 to 65pc.
John Ellicott
journalist and author
journalist and author
