Feds' Hoggard urges farmers to pay backpackers regular rates

Thu, 11 Jan 2018

By Paul McBeth Jan. 11 (BusinessDesk) - Federated Farmers vice-president Andrew Hoggard says farmers should pay backpackers market rates if they want to keep a handy pool of casual labour and avoid volunteer workers. The Employment Relations Authority ruled an organic farm near Christchurch breached worker rights by paying them $120 a week plus providing food and lodging irrespective of the hours worked, and claiming they were volunteers after a Labour Inspectorate investigation. The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment said i...

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