Sucre Ethique - Australia : Cane growers object to Pacific workers timeline

lundi 20 février 2012

Sugarcane farmers will not be able to take part in the Pacific Seasonal Workers Scheme this year unless the Australian Government changes the start date, an Australian sugar lobby group says.

Canegrowers chief operating officer Ron Mullins said Pacific seasonal workers would be employed as haul-out operators for the cane harvest for up to five months.

But he said it was "highly unlikely" farms would be able to use Pacific workers because the scheme only starts in July.

Mr Mullins said many mills start in May or June, before the scheme begins.

The Federal Government announced last year it would begin a three-year trial of the scheme for cane, cotton and tourism sectors to help address labour shortages.

Samoa’s Seasonal Workers Unit played down the concerns of the Australian canegrowers, saying they believe they can arrange to get workers over before July.

Spokesman Fitu Fuimaono told Pacific Beat he was planning to contact the canegrowers directly this week to discuss their options.