Australian body Growcom is urging horticultural growers to complete telephone surveys conducted by the federal department of education, employment and workplace relations (DEEWR), to help identify the need for a Pacific Island worker scheme.

Growcom chief advocate Mark Panitz last week attended a meeting with the department and growers in Stanthorpe, which stressed the importance of the surveys.

“The meeting uncovered the need for growers to participate in the survey, because it is a critical part in establishing the need for a seasonal labour scheme,” he said.

“Participation in this research is important to help identify the size and nature of recruitment and retention challenges and other aspects of the labour market that affect your business.

“Labour issues have been impacting on Australia’s high-value horticulture industry for quite some time, and the seasonal labour scheme could help alleviate some of the stress of finding workers.”

The government will be contacting businesses and asking them about their experiences in recruiting seasonal workers. The questions cover the number and type of seasonal vacancies in horticultural business, and success in filling these vacancies.

There is also a call for growers who have not been contacted to free-call a number to give comments on their experiences with seasonal labour.

Panitz said answering the survey honestly will help bolster the campaign for a Pacific Island seasonal worker scheme in areas where recruiting can be difficult, such as in Stanthorpe or the Lockyer Valley.