LABOUR HIRE LICENSING MUST TARGET ROGUE OPERATORS

By Jessica Dempster

NSW Farmers says any new labour hire licensing scheme must target rogue operators without adding unnecessary red tape for legitimate farm businesses.

The call comes after the NSW Government announced it will introduce a labour hire licensing scheme if re-elected in next year’s state election.

NSW Farmers Horticulture Committee Chair Chris Stillard says the proposed scheme is an opportunity to tackle labour hire operators that undercut legitimate businesses and exploit workers.

He says growers rely on labour hire to get crops picked, packed and to market, and need confidence the providers they engage are legitimate.

Mr Stillard says the scheme must clearly distinguish labour hire from independent contractors and service providers, including shearing teams, harvest contractors and aerial spraying businesses.

NSW Farmers says it supports a nationally consistent approach, but if NSW proceeds with its own scheme, it should recognise equivalent interstate licences and focus enforcement on genuine labour hire arrangements.