‘Nobody wants to work’: Farmers leave oranges, limes and lemons to rot | bpreiss, benschneiders & BillieEder
Sam Lentini has been watching perfectly good citrus drop from his trees and rot for the past two years.
The agriculture sector is desperate for workers – from fruit pickers and packers to abattoir and dairy workers. The pandemic has thrust the sector’s gaping deficit into the spotlight, but in reality, horticulture has struggled with labour issues for years and even industry leaders have conceded there have been problems with exploitation and wage theft.Lentini’s company employs about 65 skilled and unskilled workers, each with a key role to play in getting the citrus from trees and into bottles.
Last week a group of industry bodies, the Food Supply Chain Alliance, reported more than 172,000 workers were needed across sectors from food production to transport and hospitality.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Australia news live updates: Chris Dawson verdict due, push to scrap Covid isolation ruleFollow live
Read more »
The latest COVID-19 case numbers from around the states and territoriesHere's a quick wrap of today's COVID statistics from each state and territory.
Read more »
Perrottet urges states to back five-day COVID isolationAustralians should prepare for the eventual abolition of the COVID-19 isolation period, NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet says, arguing a new pandemic mindset is needed.
Read more »
States split on question of reducing mandatory COVID-19 isolationNSW Premier Dominic Perrottet is leading the charge to wind back stay-at-home-orders, while Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews remains cautious.
Read more »
Health union joins NSW Premier's push to change mandatory COVID-19 isolation rulesThe union that represents workers in hospitals and the aged care sector says Australia needs to start trusting people to do the right thing and stay home if sick, instead of mandating isolation periods.
Read more »
The latest COVID-19 case numbers from around the states and territoriesHere's a quick wrap of today's COVID statistics from each state and territory.
Read more »