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I'm reluctant to comment on the picking issue again, but something about this article seems fishy to me. https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/national/2020/11/08/australians-farm-work-job/amp/?__twitter_impression=true
I got curious about this 'AgriAus' labour hire company, who apparently have 1500 people being denied jobs, so I looked them up. They're a brand new outfit, registered in July, made first posts online on September 12th.
Their website has NO jobs listed, only EOI forms to fill out and they'll let you know if something comes up. Their Facebook profile has two posts, 27 page likes and zero comments.
So I searched to find any farm jobs they might be advertising elsewhere. Found three ads, all expired. One was on a French site encouraging backpackers to Oz. The other two...
hmm wait, wasn't the problem that 'other' labour hire companies were focusing on backpackers?
Maybe I'm a cynic. Or maybe that's just a new startup trying to drum up some business using a current hot topic that they know will cause outrage and thus be endlessly shared?
Here's a tip. Two, actually. 1. The harvest worker situation in some areas has now reach absolute *desperation point*. I find it very, VERY, hard to believe that suitable applicants are being knocked back in these numbers.
2. If you are looking for a harvest job, AVOID LABOUR HIRE COMPANIES. Most of them are dodgy af. Go straight to the farms (or their websites), apply to them direct, most of them are advertising locally. Skip the greedy middle man.
Knew I'd regret this (again). I was commenting specifically on that labour hire company and their motivations for participating in that article. I don't need to be educated on the realities of being a farm worker. Spoiler: I am one.
While I'm at it, I'll just add this: 'harvest worker' does not just mean 'picker'. It also includes crew supervisors, quality control, packers, truck drivers, forklift operators, distribution centre staff, cleaners and many other roles, some seasonal, some potentially ongoing.
