Medical insurance must be regulated

Growers and unions are happy with changes to Recognised Seasonal Employer Scheme worker allowances, but unions want worker medical insurance to be regulated.

The Government last week increased the scheme’s (RSE) worker cap by 3000, to a maximum of 19,000 workers.

The Government also made a sick leave allowance mandatory. The new cap was negotiated between the Government, employers and unions.

The scheme has been criticised for the housing conditions workers lived in.

First Union general secretary Dennis Maga said the sick leave entitlement was long overdue and medical insurance was the next priority.

Workers needed assurance that employers would pay if they ended up in hospital, he said.

Some employers deducted medical insurance from wages and others covered the cost themselves. It needed to be regulated, Maga said.

Workers should also be trained on health and safety standards.

At present, workers were not aware of standards.

They sometimes worked in dangerous conditions and did not know they could stop work, Maga said.

The union also wanted an independent inspection for pastoral care, he said.

New Zealand Winegrowers chief executive Philip Gregan said there were clear requirements for all accredited employers regarding accommodation and pastoral care given to RSE workers.

‘‘As an industry we expect these are upheld, as a minimum. It is a privilege to have this scheme.

‘‘RSE employees must be pro

RSE employees must be provided with fair and ethical working conditions.

Philip Gregan

New Zealand Winegrowers chief executive

vided with fair and ethical working conditions.

‘‘Anything less is unacceptable,’’ Gregan said.

The cap increase would help the wine industry plan how it would meet seasonal work peaks, he said.

Kiwifruit Growers chief executive Colin Bond said seasonal workers were a skilled and reliable workforce who increased the productivity of the horticulture industries and were able to fill shortfalls where there were not enough New Zealanders available.

The cap would support the labour supply for the preparation and harvest of the 2023 kiwifruit season, he said.