Greens call for decent working conditions for all horticulture workers

The Green Party is calling on the Government to ensure all people working in horticulture are paid liveable wages and have access to quality accommodation.

“While the Government’s move to require employers to pay a living wage to RSE workers is a step in the right direction, the rights for local workers and the broader structural issues within the horticultural industry remain unaddressed,” said Green Party Workplace Relations and Safety spokesperson Jan Logie.

“We are particularly concerned about growing inequities for local horticulture workers, as well as migrant workers stranded here because of the pandemic, who continue to be on minimum wage contracts.

“This is another reason the Government needs to move quickly on Fair Pay Agreements and ensure industry planning includes a workforce perspective.

“We have heard that some companies in the horticulture industry may be using potentially unlawful, casual contracts for local and migrant workers that are not in the RSE category. These contracts without an end date can result in workers not having guaranteed hours or pay during rainy days. The industry needs to be providing fair, fixed term contracts with guaranteed hours.

“It is concerning that the Government is subsidising a $10 billion dollar industry to provide worker accommodation. It should be the industry’s own responsibility to provide decent conditions for its workers, including accommodation if they need it.”

Green Party Pacific Peoples spokesperson Teanau Tuiono said: “New Zealand has a long history of exploiting horticulture workers from the Pacific. Requiring higher wages for some RSE workers and not for Pacific workers already in New Zealand downplays the important contributions of Pacific horticulture workers who are already working here.”

Green Party Social Development and Employment spokesperson Ricardo Menendez March said: “Providing year-long employment in the horticulture industry is possible. The Government should be taking a more proactive approach to connecting horticulture workers to employers, to guarantee year-long employment.

“All horticulture workers deserve decent wages, safe working conditions and quality accommodation.”

ENDS

Latest Pacific Peoples Announcements

Story

The time is now to strike anti-Pacific racism from New Zealand law

A Green Party member’s bill pulled from the ballot today would strike an anti-Pacific racist law from the country’s books and help heal the wrongs ...
Read More

Story

The time is now for overstayer amnesty

With the alarming number of Dawn Raids occurring, the Green Party is calling on the Minister to immediately grant an amnesty to all overstayers.
Read More

Story

Govt must grant visa waivers to all Pacific countries

The Green Party is once again calling on the Government to grant visa waivers to all Pacific countries. 
Read More

Story

Govt must extend Samoa visa changes to all Pacific countries

Thanks to Green Party pressure, visitors from Samoa can soon travel to Aotearoa without a visa – a right that should be extended to every Pacific c...
Read More

Story

Greens call on Govt to grant visa waiver status to all Pacific countries

The Green Party is calling on the Government to change visa settings to allow people visiting Aotearoa from the Pacific Islands to do so without ha...
Read More

Story

Indigenous self-determination key to unlocking better future

Data released today by the Human Rights Measurement Initiative shows why land must be returned to tangata whenua, the Green Party says. 
Read More

Latest Workplace Relations and Safety Announcements

Story

Green Party confirms plan for five weeks annual leave

Speaking at the E Tū Election Launch in Auckland today, Green Party co leader Marama Davidson outlined the Green Party’s manifesto commitment to en...
Read More

Story

Greens back pay transparency open letter

The Green Party supports immediate Government action to close the pay gap as called for in an open letter released today by the Human Rights Commis...
Read More

Story

Greens celebrate firefighters agreement

The Green Party is welcoming today’s news that the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union (NZPFU) have voted to ratify the agreement reached w...
Read More

Story

Social workers need to see pay equity immediately

The Green Party is welcoming today’s announcement that pay equity will be extended to more social workers, and urges the Government to work with un...
Read More

Story

Fair pay agreements huge step towards fairer future

The Green Party is celebrating a landmark change in the law that will ensure more people are paid what they deserve. 
Read More

Story

Groundhog Day for pay transparency

Labour is asking for the exact same advice on pay transparency that a Green Minister first asked for five years ago.
Read More

Latest Social Development Announcements

Story

A National/ACT Government would make life miserable for those already worst off

Only a party vote for the Greens will end poverty. ACT’S welfare policy announced today is as cruel as it gets.
Read More

Story

A comparison between the Green Party’s and Labour’s family support

Everyone will be better off under the Green Party’s plan.
Read More

Story

Food banks are not the solution

The Green Party is today calling on the Government to implement the Income Guarantee, in addition to funding food banks.
Read More

Story

Income guarantee a clear and immediate solution to Prod Comm findings

The Green Party’s Income Guarantee could be a central pillar of the “social floor” recommended today by the Productivity Commission.
Read More

Story

Ending Poverty Together - James Shaw Speech

The mark of a civilised society should be that - at the very least - everyone has a warm place to call home and food on the table. 
Read More

Story

Green Party’s new Income Guarantee for every New Zealander

The Green Party has today announced a new Income Guarantee for every New Zealander.
Read More