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A government decision to deny 500 skilled migrant dairy workers entry into the country has exposed the growing reliance on migrant labour for Mahurangi farmers, who say they can’t find Kiwis who are fit to fill the jobs.
Last month, the Government announced that there was no space in managed isolation and quarantine (MIQ) facilities for the dairy workers over the next 10 months, but it would make room for shearers and agricultural contractors.
Te Arai dairy farmer Andrew Fleming says four farms in his neighbourhood typically employ about three migrant workers each – usually Filipinos, Indians and Sri Lankans – whereas they would have had no migrants at all about 15 years ago.
Mr Fleming normally employs three migrants himself, but says currently they have proved impossible to find.
He says advertising for Kiwi workers often proves a challenge, particularly if the ad specifies that the applicant has no issues with drugs or alcohol.
“If the ad says ‘clean and sober’, it’s not hard to have no one apply,” he says.
He says Kiwis that are employed sometimes consider themselves to be at management level, but they have not done the required hard work to achieve that status and are unwilling to do more menial work.
He says by contrast the majority of migrant workers are clean and sober, are keen to work and always turn up.
“That makes it so much easier for an employer. You are not worried about where your staff are or if they are sick or any other issues like that,” he says.
Mr Fleming says migrant dedication is reflected in the dairy industry awards.
“Over all the provinces this year just about all the awards were won by females and migrant staff – at every level,” he says.
Because of an inability to find migrant workers, Mr Fleming recently employed a young man from Maungaturoto, but says it’s the first time he had employed a person from within the region for the last five or six years.
He says migrants who do make it over here and become more skilled are soon tempted to move to other countries such as Australia, where it is easier for them to get permanent residency.
He says an Indian worker he formerly employed was in New Zealand for more than eight years, but still found it impossible to become a permanent resident. He has since moved to Canada.
Tapora dairy farmer Earle Wright, who employs one Filipino worker in a managerial role, agrees that Kiwis often lack commitment to dairying – saying the early starts and long hours put many off. On the other hand, he says migrants are reliable, often come with relevant skills and are thankful for the opportunity to work in New Zealand.
But he says the complications created by Covid has meant migrant workers are increasingly difficult to find, in an industry desperate for skilled people.
He says the Government appears to be more interested in allowing people into the country with money, but does not appear to recognise the need to allow in skilled dairy workers who are critical for New Zealand’s economy.
His concerns are echoed by DairyNZ, which says the Government decision not to allow migrant dairy workers into the country lets farmers down, especially as the industry moves into the busy calving season.
Chief executive Dr Tim Mackle says DairyNZ has real concerns for this season in relation to animal welfare, farmers working longer hours, increased stress and mental wellbeing issues.
A recent DairyNZ-Federated Farmers labour survey found that 49 per cent of respondents were short staffed and 58 per cent were experiencing increased stress levels.
