Looking for labour

Looking for labour during a pandemic

BY SHAY CROUCH VALUE CHAIN FACILITATOR, STONEFRUIT WA

With hard border restrictions across Western Australia in place, many growers will not have access to their usual workforces for the coming season so you may need to throw the net wider to get through the season. In my discussions with growers, I have heard a few strategies that may help.

1. Communicate with your neighbours

They will most likely be in the same boat as you; they may only have work for a few days a week or a few weeks. Why not work with them to help share the labour out and keep the workers employed for longer and get your crop off?

2. Online Job searches

In addition to your usual online services (Job Shop, Seek, Gumtree etc), the state government has partnered with Studium (www.studium.work) to pool those looking for work and those looking for labour. The site has been used by university students many of which will be looking for some cash over the summer break. Harvest Trail (www.jobsearch.gov.au/harvest) is also being used nationally.

With a smaller pool of these workers available, competition will be greater and we need to getcreative.

3 MAYBE it’s worth bringing in a worker or two early in the season and secure your labour needs before there is a rush on picking.

3. Bring them in earlier

Have you got things around the property that could do with a tidy up or help out with loose ends? Maybe it’s worth bringing in a worker or two early in the season and secure your labour needs before there is a rush on picking.

4. Have an industry approach

If you need workers, let me know and I can put a call out through some other networks. WA Stonefruit social media channels have more than 1500 followers and can reach audiences even greater than this. Tag us with @welovewastonefruit on Facebook and @wastonefruit on Instagram and we will share your callouts.

5. Offer a bonus or incentive

When there is a competitive market, people look for the best value. Are there ways you can make it more enticing to have people work for you? Fridays off, finish at 1pm, pay rates higher than minimum requirements, pick up and drop off in town, work ute available to get to and from work — these are just a few ideas.

This list is not exhaustive and won’t work for everyone… some examples might not work at all, but we are in unfamiliar territory and we need to think outside the square. Our industry is just one of several that traditionally look to backpackers for seasonal labour; with a smaller pool of these workers available, competition will be greater and we need to get creative. If you have any labour hire success strategies or tips, let me know. ●

MORE INFORMATION

For more information contact Shay via email shay.crouch@perthnrm.com or phone (08) 9374 3306.

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