Industry support for seasonal workers from Vanuatu

Industry support for seasonal workers from Vanuatu

A co-operative which provides seasonal workers for the horticulture and viticulture industries says it is supporting more than 650 workers from cyclone-battered Vanuatu currently in New Zealand.

Seasonal Solutions says the 440 workers in Central Otago, 190 in Marlborough and 26 in Canterbury are from some of the islands understood to have been worst hit by Cyclone Pam.

Its chief executive, Greg Watson, says the co-operative is working to re-establish contact with its office in Vanuatu where three operational staff are based. But its main focus is supporting its workers here in New Zealand.

“We spoke with our people in Vanuatu last night and they were safe and well. They had spent the last couple of days boarding up their houses and the office, and had taken their families inland to stay with relatives.

“It’s the workers here in New Zealand who are desperate for information, and we are doing everything we can to support them.”

Greg Watson says Seasonal Solutions is giving its workers the option whether they work or not while they wait for further news.

“We are telling them that they may want to keep working simply for the fact that, at this point in time, work may provide them with some form of distraction. But that is totally up to them.”

Greg Watson says some workers have already indicated they wish to return home.

“But with no flights running currently, and the only likelihood of any flights in the next few days being aid flights, all they can do is sit tight and wait. It is a very stressful time for these men.

“We have always been mindful that Vanuatu could be at risk of an extreme event such as this. Therefore, we do have good support systems in place here in New Zealand.

“Our managers and pastoral care staff are doing everything possible to support the men here in New Zealand and our contacts in Vanuatu. We are very grateful for the support that is coming in from the growers who are part of our co-operative. ”

Greg Watson says Seasonal Solutions has established a fund to allow its members to provide further financial support to the workers and their families.

Each year the seasonal workers from Vanuatu spend up to seven months in New Zealand between October and May.

ENDS

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