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Seasonal workers arrive in Darwin to help fill farm job positions

SEASONAL workers from Vanuatu have arrived in Darwin to help fill essential jobs that Top End employers had been struggling to fill

Seasonal workers from Vanuatu have arrived in Darwin to help fill essential farm jobs that Top End employers had been struggling to fill
Seasonal workers from Vanuatu have arrived in Darwin to help fill essential farm jobs that Top End employers had been struggling to fill

SEASONAL workers from Vanuatu have arrived in Darwin to help fill essential farm jobs that Top End employers had been struggling to fill.

More than 160 workers left Port Vila in Vanuatu yesterday, and landed in Darwin this morning.

The workers will go into quarantine into the Top End’s Howard Springs facility for two weeks before assisting Top End farmers primarily pick and pack mangoes.

NT Farmers Association chief executive Paul Burke was thrilled to welcome the workers and support Territory farmers.

“The industry needs employees — seasonal workers are one important component of the agricultural workforce,” he said.

“NT Farmers have been at the forefront of campaigns to attract locals to the industry. Extensive social media promotions and numerous information sessions have been implemented to target locals interested in joining the industry.

“Seasonal workers help fill the workforce gap to ensure fresh produce is harvested and delivered to consumers.

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“The reinstated pilot program of seasonal workers is the first in Australia and is paving the way for how the national agricultural industry responds to COVID workforce restrictions.

“This program, led by NT Farmers, will help to grow the industry and Territory economy post COVID-19.”

Mr Burke said NT Farmers had run an extensive campaign to attract locals to fruit picking, including engaging the local refugee centre and students from Charles Darwin University.

The seasonal workers will be in Australia for nine months.

Mr Burke said they would first support the Territory’s agriculture industry with picking, packing and pruning, and then have the opportunity to travel to Katherine, Kununurra in Western Australia, North Queensland, Bowen and Bundaberg to work.

raphaella.saroukos@news.com.au

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Original URL: https://www.ntnews.com.au/news/northern-territory/seasonal-workers-en-route-to-darwin/news-story/35194f59d29f25fae6b44c2d2bafb7bc