Seasonal work brings potential long term benefits

WHETHER the Seasonal Worker Programme (SWP) provides economic benefit through remittances will be investigated today, when the Joint Standing Committee on Migration holds a public hearing as part of its inquiry into the Programme.

Committee Chair, Louise Markus said the SWP provides potential economic and development benefits to seasonal workers, their families and communities.

“Remittances from the Seasonal Worker Programme have provided increased income to seasonal workers and their families which have led to investments in individual household needs and education as well as local community health and water access projects,” she said.

The committee will hear from the State, Society and Governance in Melanesia Program of the Australian National University as it examines:

• how the SWP supports development in the Pacific;
• the role of seasonal workers in the horticulture industry;
• whether the SWP should be expanded to include other countries and sectors;
• how the SWP affects Australian jobs;
• increasing access for overseas women and youth workers; and
• issues with attracting seasonal workers, including the granting of visas.

Public hearing details:
Date: Wednesday, 14 October 2015
Time: 9.50 am
Location: Committee room 1R4, Parliament House, Canberra.

The hearing will be audio webcast live on: www.aph.gov.au/live
Members of the public are welcome to attend. For a program and more details, visit the committee’s website: http://www.aph.gov.au/mig

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