Recognised Seasonal Employer

New Zealand's Government announced this month about 2400 more migrant workers will be allowed into the country for seasonal horticultural work, many from the Pacific Islands.

Pacific governments remain keen to get as many of their workers into New Zealand's Recognised Seasonal Employer, or RSE, scheme, as possible

But Unions and economists say fruit and vegetable pickers from the Pacific Islands suffer high costs and poor pay and are often left with almost no money to send home.

Under the scheme, employers in the horticulture and viticulture industry with RSE status bring temporary workers from outside New Zealand to work for up to seven months of the year.

Vanuatu was one of the earliest participants in the scheme starting off in April 2007. In the past decade, Vanuatu has sent 3500 workers to work in New Zealand under RSE.

Vanuatu’s Labour Department is working with local recruitment agents to ensure Vanuatu meets its target of at least 500 more workers to meet increased demand for farm labour in New Zealand.