NZ: Meat industry still has staffing issue
Meat processing companies remain short of more than 2000 workers in a tight domestic labour market.
Further pressure on staffing is coming from staff absenteeism as workers isolate at home because of Covid.
Easing some of this pressure was the Government announcing in August an agreement that includes access to migrant workers for entry-level red meat processing roles at $24 per hour with a cap on visa numbers.
However, Meat Industry Association chief executive Sirma Karapeeva said this would only go some way to addressing labour shortages.
She said the companies would ultimately need an additional cap of overseas migrants to make up the shortfall.
“Without sufficient labour, companies cannot run their processing plants at full capacity.
“This means less opportunities for hard-working Kiwis, often in the regions to earn a good wage, and longer waiting times for farmers to get their livestock processed.
“That can have a flow-on impact for animal welfare, farmer wellbeing and the regional economy.”
Migrants account for less than 5% of a workforce dominated by New Zealand workers.
The association said they still play a critical role with 10 migrant workers enabling one night shift to run at a plant, employing 70 New Zealanders.
“Without sufficient labour, companies may be forced to reduce value-add processing by either sending more parts of the carcass for rendering into lower value meat and bone meal or freezing carcasses rather than further processing into value-add chilled and boneless cuts,” Ms Karapeeva said.
Tim Cronshaw / Rural Life NZ
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