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Rural contractors and farmers are “beside themselves with frustration and despair” over the log jam in managed quarantine and isolation facilities, despite 100 new rooms being made available on Monday.
Rural Contactors CEO Roger Parton said in a statement that the industry was at a crisis point trying to get enough workforce in the country, after suffering a series of delays and setbacks.
Cabinet approved 210 border waivers for rural contractors in September, but many have yet to do so.
Parton said that unless more isolation and managed quarantine (MIQ) facilities were made urgently available, only a third of the workers approved by the Cabinet would make it to New Zealand.
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The 100 extra beds had already been purchased by people who wanted to go home for Christmas, while 61 workers in Ireland and Britain who were granted a waiver are still waiting for the facilities to become available, Parton said.
“There is no space available in managed housing right now until mid-February. Add two weeks to that for isolation, that means the workers needed here for the harvest that is now underway aren’t available until March. That is a complete and utter waste of time. “
Mike Scott / Stuff
Federated Farmers spokesman Chris Lewis is calling on the government to make more space in the hotel available as MIQ facilities for foreign workers.
In September, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said that 10 percent of MIQ facilities would be reserved for critical workers, she said.
Federated Farmers has warned of the dire consequences this will bring, including feed shortages and risks to planting arable crops next summer.
“There’s a lot of work out there and not enough operators,” said Federated Farmers spokesman Chris Lewis.
Farmers were working hard to make silage to help cope with anticipated droughts, he said.
Parton said that of the 210 workers who received dispensations, only 58 had arrived. They were at MIQ or were already working.
“My members who need to bring in workers but cannot get MIQ vouchers this month are beside themselves with frustration and despair.”
The Ministry of Primary Industries had been outstanding in helping with applications even though some had problems, but there were still delays in issuing visas, Parton said.
The season was already underway, and now workers were needed. Some contractors had given up and chosen not to offer the level of service to agricultural customers that they normally do.
Lewis said South Island farmers were cutting silage and packing in wet conditions for fear that if contractors were not used when they were immediately on hand, they might not be able to cut crops at all, and others were pushing the limits. of health and safety to get the job done as quickly as possible.
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With no space available in managed accommodation until mid-February, farm workers needing the harvest won’t be available until March, says Rural Contractors CEO Roger Parton.
Federated Farmers Farm Crops President Colin Hurst said traditionally contracting silage and packing labor shifted to harvesting grains beginning in mid-January. Delays or a shortage of operators could have a big impact.
“Agriculture is often about the climate; punctuality is important and you take advantage of your opportunities when the weather plays ball. Gaps in the workforce will only have a ripple effect everywhere. “
Parton had written to Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor, begging him to take urgent action to find more accommodation at MIQ.
Lewis echoed the request, noting that the lack of tourism meant there was no shortage of hotel space.
O’Connor has been contacted for comment.
