FED:Pacific to provide seasonal workers

AAP General News (Australia)
12-18-2011
FED:Pacific to provide seasonal workers

CANBERRA, Dec 18 AAP - Fruit and vegetable growers will be able to employ seasonal
workers from the Pacific region and East Timor from the middle of 2012.

But they will have to show they can't find local workers at harvest time before accessing
a $21.7 million program.

The program, announced by the federal government on Sunday, follows a successful pilot scheme.

The government will also conduct a small-scale, three-year trial with the tourism industry.

Cotton and cane growers as well as fishing operators will be included.

The government says growers in the horticultural sector will be able to access a reliable,
returning seasonal workforce from July 1.

The program would contribute to economic development in participating countries, such
as East Timor, Kiribati, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu
and Vanuatu.

Tourism Minister Martin Ferguson described the trial as a "win-win" outcome for Australian
tourism operators and regional workers who would be able to improve their skills through
education and training.

There are about 36,000 vacancies in the tourism industry, as the sector faces severe
labour shortages brought about by a booming resources sector competing for workers.

Seasonal workers taking part in the permanent program will be employed in accordance
with Australian work standards.

Employers will contribute to travel costs.

AAP rl/afr

KEYWORD: SEASONAL

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