Shearing Contractors Association president Mark Barrowcliffe said a wage increase of up to 25% has been welcomed by woolhandlers and South Island contractors starting pre-lamb shearing have been told by staff the better wages are an attraction to stay here instead of heading overseas.
“We have just made New Zealand an attractive proposition for our transient staff,” he said.
Earlier this year the association announced plans to increase rates by up to 25% from July 1 to address the loss of experienced staff chasing the better money offered in Australia.
Barrowcliffe said the staff being lost were the industry’s core but the new rates are comparable to those offered across the Tasman.
“We feel it gives our employees a living wage while shearing in NZ.”
Sheep farmers accepted the industry needed to act to stem the loss of woolhandlers but that support came with some provisions.
“They realise the industry needs a helping hand so long as it is part of a strategic plan.”
That plan includes improving the profile of the association, lifting rates of recruitment and retention, improving training opportunities and lifting the standards of health and safety.
Further change is pending to the way woolhandlers are paid after a ruling from the Labour Inspectorate that they can no longer be treated as casual workers.
Barrowcliffe said while the officials understand shearing contractors’ historic relationship with staff, pay rates have to now be broken down to reveal more detail and include more entitlements.
