A sustainable and robust solution to labour hire problems

A sustainable and robust solution to labour hire problems

The fresh produce industry's Produce Marketing Association (PMA Australia-New Zealand) today announced that major retailers, including Coles, Woolworths, Metcash and ALDI, have agreed to work with representatives of the produce sector to find a robust, workable and enduring solution across the supply chain to some of the recent bad practices that have come to light in the labour hire industry in Australia.

Michael Worthington, CEO of PMA Australia-New Zealand, said; "All the retailers want to see the end of labour hire firms that blatantly break our employment laws. They want employers to consistently implement best practice in the way they manage their employment contractors and their direct seasonal employees.

“There is recognition that Australia’s existing laws, if enforced, can address the issues, but improved management practices, tighter regulation and even some form of accreditation, will go a long way to solving the problem," he said.

PMA is working with the National Farmers Federation on helping bring about these changes, which cover a range of farming sectors, especially those that rely heavily on back-packer and migrant labour during seasonal harvest peaks.

Mr. Worthington added; "We know that Government is looking to appoint a taskforce to look at this issue, which we welcome, but it is important that the food sector starts now to actively identify and implement solutions that have broad industry acceptance."

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