Seasonal labour.

[kiwi pom]

Just wondering how the fruit/veg season went in the UK after all the stories about the lack of labour early in the season?
Any disasters?
There's currently a big fuss here about borders being closed to workers, crops will be left to rot etc. The government has agreed to let another 2000 workers in from certain countries, but apparently it's not enough.

 

[Muddyroads]

It’s our first year growing veg, so our need for workers is small. The pandemic has led to some local folk being furloughed or worse still made redundant, and in our case this has allowed any shortfall of foreign labour to be made up by those prepared to get their hands dirty. Hopefully these people will have work next year, but it will impact on us if they do.

 

[kiwi pom]

It’s our first year growing veg, so our need for workers is small. The pandemic has led to some local folk being furloughed or worse still made redundant, and in our case this has allowed any shortfall of foreign labour to be made up by those prepared to get their hands dirty. Hopefully these people will have work next year, but it will impact on us if they do.

I think that's why government are being a little stubborn here this year. In a normal year when there is very low unemployment, you have to fetch people in, but this year there's more unemployment.
There's usually a lot of backpackers making a bit of extra cash too but obviously not this year with closed borders.
I still don't think growers are competing with other business though, they still want cheep.

 

[TripleSix]

They tried giving furloughed people jobs picking veg earlier in the year.
Most didn't last a day.

They've flown in plane loads of European picking staff

 

[kfpben]

We used all local staff in the vineyard this year. Teams of 5-30 depending on the task required.
It worked well.

 

[Kiwi Pete]

Most unemployed won't do whatever it takes to be employed, which is often why they are unemployed @kiwi pom

 

[The Son]

My son has gone over to NZ on a key worker visa. He cleared isolation at the beginning of the week and is no wworking. He is chuffed to bits its summer and he can goto the pub when he wants with who he wants!

 

[Muddyroads]

My son has gone over to NZ on a key worker visa. He cleared isolation at the beginning of the week and is no wworking. He is chuffed to bits its summer and he can goto the pub when he wants with who he wants!

Presumably he’s the grand son?!

 

[Kidds]

Local veg grower was proud to tell me his entire harvesting crew were natives that day.
I have to admit I was very sceptical such a thing could happen but very happy to be proved wrong.

 

[kiwi pom]

Most unemployed won't do whatever it takes to be employed, which is often why they are unemployed @kiwi pom

Yes I realise that, there will always be a percentage that won't work but there's extra unemployed this year that will work IF it's worth it.
These growers need to compete for labour like everyone else. I still haven't seen evidence of good pay rates from the industry.
I see the government is helping people with accommodation costs if they relocate for a seasonal job. Err why the hell do they need to pay for accommodation? Err If you need a temp worker from out of the area you supply accommodation.

 

[Kiwi Pete]

Yes I realise that, there will always be a percentage that won't work but there's extra unemployed this year that will work IF it's worth it.
These growers need to compete for labour like everyone else. I still haven't seen evidence of good pay rates from the industry.
I see the government is helping people with accommodation costs if they relocate for a seasonal job. Err why the hell do they need to pay for accommodation? Err If you need a temp worker from out of the area you supply accommodation.

A lot of it is piecemeal rate, if you work your butt off the pay is great. If you fluff around you make so little that it isn't worthwhile.

Your average doley is paid to fluff around, probably also eligible for housing allowances, and isn't subject to random drug/alcohol testing - what's not to like about that?

 

[Canada Farmer]

Just wondering how the fruit/veg season went in the UK after all the stories about the lack of labour early in the season?
Any disasters?
There's currently a big fuss here about borders being closed to workers, crops will be left to rot etc. The government has agreed to let another 2000 workers in from certain countries, but apparently it's not enough.

New Zealanders scared to work or just too soft???

 

[kiwi pom]

A lot of it is piecemeal rate, if you work your butt off the pay is great. If you fluff around you make so little that it isn't worthwhile

Is it though? It's the weekly or monthly net total that's important, not the third Tuesday of the month when you had a good day.
An average picker in a good month would net.........?

 

[Kiwi Pete]

Is it though? It's the weekly or monthly net total that's important, not the third Tuesday of the month when you had a good day.
An average picker in a good month would net.........?

There's often two averages, I was clearing $4k a month a loooong time ago picking fruit but I am a speedy ape. Some of the other folk wouldn't have made that for the season, but I had motocross to fund so I went for it while it was there.
Pruning... shearing... (insert rural labouring position) is the same, you have to work hard to make money, ie you decide your hourly rate by how you work.
If you want to make $50 and buy a box of beer then it is what it is. If you want to make $250 then go get it. Some folk will work like there is no tomorrow!