Income support, job assistance sought for quarantine-hit farm workers

The United Workers Union (UWU) is calling for income support and job assistance from the Federal government for hundreds of farm workers who are at risk of losing their jobs because of the tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) outbreak.

The ToBRFV is a highly contagious plant virus that affects tomatoes, capsicums, and chillies, according to the Department of Primary Industries and Regions. It does not pose a threat to human health.

In August, an outbreak of ToBRFV was detected in three properties in South Australia, leading the state government to implement quarantine measures on infected properties.

Quarantine-triggered job losses

Perfection Fresh, a major fruit and vegetable grower, said the quarantine measures will lead to a "significant" job loss in its workforce, ABC News reported.

An initial prediction from UWU said close to 800 tomato farm workers in SA are at risk of being stood down because of the quarantine measures.

Tim Nelthorpe, UWU SA farms coordinator, said the company and the government should work with the union to maintain direct secure employment for affected workers.

"United Workers Union is calling on the Federal Government to convene an urgent meeting of impacted employers, industry, and unions to agree on an essential food workers' crisis package, which includes income and job assistance and a secure employment commitment that protects these essential jobs in SA," Nelthorpe added.

Government support underway

The SA government has announced that it has established an assistance hub for businesses and workers affected by the ToBRFV.

"The hub will provide immediate support and connection to services provided by Centrelink, Red Cross, and Lutheran Care, including counselling for affected businesses, workers, and their families, financial wellbeing, and assistance with redeployment in the industry," the government said.

Caterina Cinanni, UWU farms director, said they welcome the SA government task force.

"Our union will be fighting for a national industry assistance package to provide immediate income support like that provided during the COVID pandemic," Cinanni said.

"Workers need a livable income, and they need to be able to return to secure jobs when the lockdown ends and the crisis is over."

Primary Industries Minister Clare Scriven has assured that many workers of Perfection Fresh are still employed, noting that the potential layoffs could be done "over a staggered timeframe," ABC News reported.

"The federal Department of Employment and Workplace Relations is meeting with the company … to get a more detailed understanding of the different visa types that some of the workers are on," Scriven said as quoted by the news outlet.