WA CITRUS
Plan your workforce early in the season.
Labour
3 LOOK at incentives you can offer to attract workers in a more competitive environment, as well as the impact of increased costs
are you prepared for 2021? BY BRONWYN WALSH INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT MANAGER (IDM)
T
he challenges seen in 2020 will continue into this season in an increasingly competitive environment for productive workers. Not only has availability been an issue, there is also additional costs to businesses in time, the quality of new workers, and retention of workers.
Looking forward, the need for casual workers will increase from January to June 2021, and higher demand is expected between July and December, compared with the same period last year. An Ernst and Young report said: • Remote or less attractive areas are expected to be more impacted by casual labour shortages • Specific commodities such as citrus, that have very high labour intensity, time-sensitivity and/or had picking conditions, will be more vulnerable • Smaller growers with low-cost business models or lower volume of work will remain under pressure or lower volume of work. Our advice to growers is to plan early and consider the following: • Traditional recruitment methods may not work so look at other options being advertised • Consider orchard practices and their impact on harvest timing and period, and related labour needs • Look at incentives you can offer to attract workers in a more competitive
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WA Grower AUTUMN 2021
environment, as well as the impact of increased costs • Contact relevant experts/information sources to understand your options • Expect to spend more time in recruitment and inductions, as turnover of staff has been shown to be higher than usual • Have a plan B and C. MORE INFORMATION Madec Harvest Trail, 1800 062 332 Rural Enterprises, (08) 6166 9124 Seasonal Worker Program, Melissa Denning Studium www.studium.work/ jobsinfoodandag 2G pass and Primary Industries Workers G Regional Travel and Accommodation Support Scheme DPIRD contact via workforce@dpird.wa.gov.au Highly recommended to visit wa.gov.au to get the most-up-to-date information on travel restrictions as conditions can change at any time Primary industries workers regional travel and accommodation support scheme at DPIRD website.
