Member for Kiama Gareth Ward MP has today announced that local farmers seeking workers and contractors for harvest now have access to the dedicated online resource, ‘Help Harvest NSW’, which will help them contact and arrange workers ahead of what is expected to be the best harvest in many years.
Mr Ward has welcomed today’s launch of the website by the New South Wales Government and said the one-stop portal would connect prospective employers with workers as part of our State Government’s COVID Recovery Plan.
“Our region’s farmers are poised to reap their biggest harvest since the drought began many years ago, so it is critical they are able to find the workers they need to get their crops in,” he said.
“Much of our primary industries labour comes from overseas but the COVID-19 international travel restrictions mean there isn’t the number of farm workers the ag industry needs.
“The Help Harvest NSW website will help overcome this challenge by connecting job-seeking Australians with agricultural work opportunities in NSW.
With higher than average unemployment due to COVID-19, Mr Ward said that ‘Help Harvest NSW’ is an alternative way that would help job-seekers into work and get the State’s workforce moving.
“We know COVID-19 has presented all sorts of challenges to our local farmers across the Illawarra and South Coast and right across NSW, and we know it has put many people out of work.
“My message to anyone looking for a job is this: consider agriculture. The work is tough but rewarding. Take a look at Help Harvest NSW and see what job opportunities are around the corner,” Mr Ward concluded.
To explore the ‘Help Harvest NSW’ site, please visit: https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/help-harvest-nsw.