Rural Contractors Urge Swift Reforms Amid Rising Costs and Farmer Struggles
Source: The DairyNews
Rural contractors are calling on the incoming government to eliminate the requirement to pay migrant workers a minimum wage of $29.66 per hour under the Accredited Employer Work Visa scheme before Christmas.
Rural contractors are calling on the incoming government to eliminate the requirement to pay migrant workers a minimum wage of $29.66 per hour under the Accredited Employer Work Visa scheme before Christmas.
This plea comes in the midst of escalating input costs and falling commodity prices, resulting in a 40-year high in on-farm inflation. According to Rabobank's recent rural confidence survey, 77% of farmers anticipate worsening conditions in the agricultural economy in the next year, while only 5% anticipate improvement.
Beef and Lamb NZ also predicts a challenging year for farmers, with profitability expected to decrease by 31%.
Farmers and industry groups are advocating for regulatory changes to alleviate the financial pressures on the sector.
This plea comes in the midst of escalating input costs and falling commodity prices, resulting in a 40-year high in on-farm inflation. According to Rabobank's recent rural confidence survey, 77% of farmers anticipate worsening conditions in the agricultural economy in the next year, while only 5% anticipate improvement.
Beef and Lamb NZ also predicts a challenging year for farmers, with profitability expected to decrease by 31%.
Farmers and industry groups are advocating for regulatory changes to alleviate the financial pressures on the sector.
