Dr Parmjeet Parmar, ACT Party immigration spokesperson, says changes to the Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme give employers and workers the flexibility the scheme has lacked.

“That flexibility was needed for employers and employees,” she says.

Parmar says the changes cut compliance for accredited employers and let workers move between approved employers.

“It takes away that admin burden from the employers.”

Deductions for transport, accommodation and insurance must now be transparent from day one. She says the RSE scheme fills a gap in the economy but does not cover year-round rural work.

ACT is proposing a rural workforce visa offering a three-year pathway with the possibility of residency.

CountryWide CONNECT with Andy Thompson & Sarah Perriam-Lampp is our daily rural show livestreamed from 11am-1pm. Visit country-wide.co.nz on how to watch/listen or download the CountryWide CONNECT mobile app, available on Apple iOS and Android.