NZ wants more seasonal workers – but Pacific nations no longer want to be the ‘outposts’ that ‘grow’ them

Thu, 21 Dec 2023 05:35:13 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<https://theconversation.com/nz-wants-more-seasonal-workers-but-pacific-nations-no-longer-want-to-be-the-outposts-that-grow-them-217790>

"The three party leaders currently negotiating to form New Zealand’s next
government might have their differences, but they seem to agree on one thing:
the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme needs to expand.

New Zealand, like Australia, faces critical labour shortages in some sectors,
with real implications for future economic performance. The RSE scheme, which
has delivered thousands of crucial workers in viticulture and horticulture
since it began in 2007, is the logical solution.

Incoming prime minister Christopher Luxon has pledged to double the RSE intake
from the current 19,500. ACT’s David Seymour wants the cap on these workers
lifted completely – emulating the Australian approach. And NZ First is in
favour of recruiting more migrant workers in all fields facing shortages.

But while an increase in RSE workers might benefit New Zealand, the impact on
the Pacific nations they come from is becoming hard to ignore. In fact, the
schemes risk undermining the very communities and economies they supposedly
benefit."

Cheers,
       *** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net               Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/                 Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/            Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/               Manager, Serious Cybernetics

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