Life And Society

Kiwis being turned down for fruit picking work - Union

08:19 am on 4 December 2020

Listen

Union officials in Otago say New Zealanders are being turned down for local fruit picking work.

For months, orchard owners have called on the government to open the borders to RSE workers who are desperately needed to meet labour demands.

Central Otago unemployment rates are on the rise but unemployed locals who want to work say they are not getting the jobs.

Andrew Tait is from The New Zealand Council of Trade Unions in Otago.