First RSE workers in three weeks

Photo: ODT files
Photo: ODT files
The first 39 recognised seasonal employer (RSE) workers will arrive in Central Otago in three weeks, "cyclone permitting", Seasonal Solutions chief executive Helen Axby says.

The arrival of the 39 organised by Seasonal Solutions will be the first of a total of 182 RSE workers the grower and contractor owned co-operative is bringing into the region.

That number would be bolstered by an additional 18 brought in by other employers, to bring the total number across Central Otago to 200 — only 10% of the 2000 the Government granted a border exception for on November 27.

Seasonal Solutions is the largest player in bringing RSE workers to Central Otago but Ms Axby would not comment on the low numbers arriving.

However, many Central Otago growers said at the time of the announcement the costs the Government put in place made getting RSE workers prohibitive.

The costs included paying for flights, paying workers at least $22.10 an hour, meeting the costs of managed isolation, and paying the equivalent of 30 hours’ work a week while in managed isolation.

Spaces in managed isolation were also limited to 156 at a time, meaning the entry of workers is being staggered every four days over 13 inbound flights that began when the first workers arrived from Samoa on January 17.

The majority of Central Otago’s contingent for this harvest come from Vanuatu.

Their arrival would coincide with apple and grape harvests, Ms Axby said.

They had yet to leave Vanuatu and her cyclone comment was not in jest.

"I’m not joking, there is a cyclone hanging around."

Cyclone Lucas yesterday led to an advisory being issued for Vanuatu and New Caledonia as winds were expected to strengthen.

Ni-Vanuatu workers make up 45% of the RSE labour for the February to March intake and the first group of more than 150 is due to leave on February 9, and undergo two weeks in managed isolation.

jared.morgan@odt.co.nz

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