Following the swearing in of the new Parliament, the government made a big announcement this morning: from January next year, up to 2,000 workers on certified seasonal employer visas (RSE) will be able to fly in from Pacific Island countries to help address labour shortages in New Zealand's horticultural and wine industries.
Photo courtesy of: Wine Click
Moreover, employers must pay these seasonal workers a minimum of N$22.10 per hour. The horticulture and wine industries, which were previously worried about labor shortages, are relieved that the government has exempted these experienced RSE workers from border restrictions.
Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi said the announcement of the waiver of entry restrictions for 2,000 people will also help New Zealand"s Pacific Island neighbors, which have been hit hard by the outbreak, because in previous years, RSE workers from those island nations sent remittances back home.
