Tasmania’s peak farming body and Fruit Growers Tasmania (FGT) have joined forced to issue a timely reminder to all employers of seasonal fruit workers.
Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers (TFGA) CEO Jan Davis said that recent media reports had raised questions about the living conditions of the state’s seasonal fruit pickers.
“Just like the Fair Work Ombudsman, we believe that there has been only isolated transgressions within the state, but we would urge all Tasmanian farm businesses to ensure that they are well versed on piecework employment requirements,’’ Ms Davis said.
The Horticulture Award 2010 states that any Piecework Agreement must be in writing, and constructed on a farm-by-farm basis. If employers are supplying housing as part of the piecework agreement, then the accommodation is required to be of an adequate standard and at market rates.
TFGA CEO Jan Davis
