Viticulture Labour Recruitment and Retention Issues

Abstract

Those involved in the New Zealand wine industry have voiced concerns about increasing labour shortages, wage issues, and working conditions for short-term labourers in the viticulture industry. This research is aimed at clarifying issues related to recruitment and retention of workers in New Zealand vineyards. The research is exploratory in nature and includes a review of recent literature on the extent and nature of the problem and provides survey feedback from individual workers and members of viticulture management on the factors that affect labour recruitment and retention. Key findings from the survey are that wages and. by extension, the cost of accommodation, are critical actors affecting workers’ decisions to return to the industry in subsequent seasons. In addition, viticulture owners and managers report that selection of contractor-supervisors is pivotal in ensuring appropriate worker skills are available during peak production periods.