13192 (2024). Ricardo Menéndez March to the Minister for Social Development and Employment

13192 (2024). Ricardo Menéndez March to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: Does the Ministry of Social Development have formal arrangements with orchards, packhouses or other horticultural businesses in order to promote people receiving Jobseeker Support to perform seasonal work, and if so, which businesses are they?

Hon Louise Upston: I am advised that the Ministry of Social Development (the Ministry) undertakes annual seasonal labour planning with Recognised Seasonal Employers (RSE) and seasonal labour employers in horticulture and viticulture. These meetings provide an opportunity for the Ministry to discuss seasonal labour employment requirements with the employer and identify ways to promote seasonal work to Jobseekers. These meetings and connections with employers are on a regional level and the names of these businesses are not recorded in a consistent way.