FIJIAN SEASONAL WORKERS ABSCOND FROM NZ ORCHARD

Two seasonal workers from Fiji have absconded from an orchard in New Zealand. NZ Immigration said the two workers were due to return to Fiji after six months’ work last month, but they have disappeared. Minister for Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations Jone Usamate said the workers were in the eastern Hawkes Bay region, but they were on the run. Immigration New Zealand said it was working with the local Fijian community to try and find the pair. The behaviour of some workers in Australia and New Zealand has riled Mr Usamate, who earlier this month banned 19 villages from taking part in schemes for four years following complaints of poor behaviour. Fiji’s government is trying to push for New Zealand to increase the number of seasonal workers allowed into the country each year, and the issue was raised in talks with foreign minister Gerry Brownlee last month.