Crop losses in Australia caused by closed borders and a lack of migrant workers have amounted to more than $39million worth of crops being lost in just the last five weeks, farmers say.
New figures from the National Crop Loss Register, which allows farmers to logon and report their crop losses, show that paddocks full of produce are going to waste because there are not enough workers to harvest them.
Since international borders were closed in March 2020 to halt the spread of coronavirus, the seasonal workforce which farmers rely on to plant, pick and pack their crops has dried up - leaving 26,000 jobs vacant.
182 Fijian workers depart for Australia
182 Fijian workers depart for Australia
These workers will take up positions in the agriculture industry across New South Wales.
Sakio Nacani of Waisali Village in Savusavu says this is his first trip overseas and he will use this opportunity to support his family.
Nacani says he was working in Suva but lost his job because of COVID-19.
He says he returned to his village to work on his farm.
Tragedy struck again for Nacani when Tropical Cyclone Yasa damaged his crops.
Nacani adds he is fortunate to be selected to work in Australia.
Acting Australian High Commissioner to Fiji, Anna Dorney, says the Fijian workers’ efforts will be highly valued both in Fiji and in Australia and wishes the workers all the best. The group that left today are in addition to the 172 Fijian PLS workers who departed on 25 November 2020.
182 off to Australia under Pacific Labour Scheme fbcnews.com.fj - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from fbcnews.com.fj Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Luke Nacei
Minister for Employment, Productivity
and Industrial Relations Parveen Kumar.
Picture: RAMA/FILE
Drug use has hindered many Fijians from traveling abroad to work under the Pacific Labour Scheme.
Employment Minister Parveen Kumar highlighted this while officiating at the culmination of the pre-departure orientation for selected meat workers who will be traveling to Australia under the scheme.
“I was told that during the interview the majority failed their test because of drugs,” he said.
He urged the workers to also avoid drinking alcohol and kava in Australia.
“You need to refrain from drinking alcohol and kava as this can affect your work performance.
PACER Plus: Why it Matters Now People are at the heart of Australia’s partnerships in the Pacific. Greater economic integration will bring people closer together, underpin recovery, and build a region that is more stable, prosperous and secure – for all of us.
Source: Twitter Wednesday, 16 December 2020 10:22 AM
The Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations Plus – or PACER Plus – entered into force on 13 December, marking the start of a new journey in which parties will determine and co-deliver their own priorities for increasing trade across the Pacific.
In a milestone for Pacific regional development, PACER Plus provides a new platform to support economic recovery. The fact that four of the eight Pacific partners that have ratified PACER Plus so far did so during the COVID-19 pandemic underscores the value they place on the agreement in these most challenging times.