Vineyards fear a lack of workers

Wine industry figures have voiced quiet concern that this year’s vintage might again face a critical shortage of workers despite 12 months to fix a repeat of last year’s problems. COVID-19 requirements and the closure of international borders mean the once-normal workforce of backpackers and Pacific Islanders was mostly unavailable. While the WA Nationals attacked Agriculture Minister Alannah MacTiernan for a lack of comprehensive action, labour hire companies would be able to recruit some seasonal workers in partnership with the State Government. Margaret River Wine Association chief executive Amanda Whiteland said the difficulty would be for private vineyards which did not use labour contractors, left out of the new scheme. A spokesperson for Ms MacTiernan said the Government was recruiting Pacific workers for the wine sector, with planes scheduled to land this month. “Under the seasonal worker program, only approved employers can bring in Pacific Island labour,” the spokesperson said. “The Commonwealth Government is responsible for designating approved employers. “Some agricultural businesses are approved employers themselves. Companies that are not approved employers can still access these workers through labour hire companies.” Labour Solutions general manager David Cooper — whose company recently acquired Vinepower as well — confirmed only “approved employers” were able to take up the scheme. “There is no easy solution,” he said. “Vintage will be a challenge. “We’ll be attracting as many students as possible, as well as local workers.” Mr Cooper’s company was shelling out for Pacific workers early next year, he said, but worker numbers would be much fewer with the average 500 backpackers mostly unavailable. Because each worker cost a minimum $5000 to bring into WA, labour costs would also bite. Added to the mix was a lack of short-term housing across the region, despite stringent requirements for accommodation under the Government scheme. Nationals MP and shadow agriculture minister Vince Catania said despite a $5.6 billion budget surplus, the Government had failed to address the anticipated shortages. “If the borders stay closed for as long as the Premier is suggesting, many businesses will continue to suffer and the shortage of workers and workers’ accommodation will escalate,” he said. “Finding workable solutions may require the WA Government to put their hand in their pocket and share the load with the Commonwealth Government to ensure our businesses across all industries continue to function and contribute to our economy. “We’re still a long, long way from being close to ‘business as usual’, and it seems from the Budget the Government is reluctant to step outside the metropolitan area to fully understand the importance and time-critical need to address the issue around sourcing workers and workers accommodation.”