New Zealand’s High Commissioner in Vanuatu Jonathan Schwass today welcomed the departure of more than 150 Ni-Vanuatu Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) workers to New Zealand for the 2021 season.
In a Facebook post, the High Commission said the first flight departed for New Zealand this morning and will be followed by a further seven Air Vanuatu charter flights, each carrying between 80 to 150 workers.
Under the current policy settings for RSE, only workers with one year of experience working in New Zealand are allowed to travel, and all workers have an agreement from their employers to pay workers at least $22.10 (1,790 vatu) an hour.
Vanuatu sends the largest number of workers to New Zealand each year. It is estimated more than 4,500 Ni-Vanuatu workers are employed in the New Zealand Viticulture and Horticulture sector.