Finding an employment cloud in agriculture's silver lining

Federated Farmers is disappointed at a rural newspaper’s poor analysis of employment relationship problems relating to the agricultural sector. 

“The analysis in Farmers Weekly was frankly disappointing for what is a very serious matter,” says David Rose, Federated Farmers employment spokesperson.

“It seems any sense of perspective has been lost when you are resorting to fractions of a fraction.   Given it tars our collective reputation as employers, I expected a more commercial and accurate analysis with comparisons to other industries. 

“It’s why I am appending statistics from the Department of Labour showing that agriculture has a positive story to tell on employment issues.

“99.53 percent of all agricultural employees did not raise a problem with their employment relationship.  There are around 79,000 people working in agriculture so that 0.47 percent equates to 371 alleged employment relationship problems in 2010. Let’s put this in a meaningful perspective. 

“Of the 371 alleged employment relationship problems in 2010 all but 25 were resolved, withdrawn, not proceeding or unsubstantiated. 

“I need to point out that over 2006-10, no less than 92.6 percent of these complaints were either resolved or withdrawn.  These numbers are minute. We are talking about 25 people when set against a 79,000 strong workforce.

“We are also talking about a data set that only goes back to 2006. You can’t possibly draw any long term trends across a four year period, especially in such a seasonal industry as agriculture.

“I take exception to the notion that farm employers do not take their responsibilities seriously.

“Federated Farmers 0800 FARMING (0800 327 646) line fields around 4,500 employment law related queries each year.  Our members seek and largely take on board the professional advice Federated Farmers offers its members. 

“While I don’t know comparative industries inside out, I think agriculture would fare reasonably well.

“I must also add that the Federation welcomed significant changes to employment legislation last year. Especially amendment to the Holidays Act which cleared up a lot of issues and the use of Average Daily Pay instead of Relevant Daily Pay for leave payment calculations.

“Department of Labour statistics tell us that annual holidays and the Holidays Act accounted for nearly half of all employment related complaints.  We should see a marked improvement going forward,” Mr Rose concluded.

Employment Relationship Problems reported to the Department relating to the Agricultural Sector 2006/10

1.    The following table shows the number of employment relationship problems received by the Department that related to alleged breaches of minimum standards in employment regulation in the agricultural sector.

(1)  The Hamilton figure also includes Rotorua and Taupo

(2)  The Palmerston North figure also includes New Plymouth

(3)  The Dunedin figure also includes Invercargill

            * This does not indicate that there was a breach of the legislation.