Photo: SuppliedThe Government has announced 2000 workers from the Pacific will be allowed into New Zealand to fill shortages in the horticulture and wine-growing sectors. Ahead of the announcement, some questioned why fishermen from countries rife with Covid-19 were allowed into New Zealand when workers from the relatively untouched Pacific were not. The industries have typically been reliant on both backpackers and the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme, which allowed workers from Pacific countries to come to New Zealand for seasonal work. In a normal year, up to 14,400 RSE workers filled seasonal labour shortages, but only 6000 remain in New Zealand now. The exception would also help New Zealand’s Pacific Island neighbours whose economies had been hit hard by Covid-19.

Source: Otago Daily Times November 26, 2020 15:33 UTC