Over 800 people have contacted Greater Shepparton City Council interested in harvest work since the council redoubled recruitment efforts. Starting in mid-January, Council and Fruit Growers Victoria have been running a fruit picking 101 workshop at McNab Orchards.
The asylum seekers who have been granted Australian permanent visas can sponsor spouse and dependent children to join them in Australia on a partner visa. However, the processing of the partner visas sponsored by these permanent residents are significantly delayed. An online petition is available to be signed. It is a 3 step petition.
Farm workers, backpackers, seasonal workers and other migrant workers tell us they are commonly paid well below the minimum wage, due to unfair piece rates set by farmers and their labour hire companies.
Get on board with our fair piece rates for farm workers campaign – sign the petition to change the laws to make sure that farm workers receive a guaranteed minimum hourly rate regardless of the piece rate.
Emergency supports are available for international students and people on temporary visas who are not eligible for Commonwealth income support. The Extreme Hardship Support Program payment is here to help meet basic needs, such as food, medicine and bills. All international students experiencing financial hardship can now apply for the payment, even if they received assistance through the International Student Emergency Relief Fund.
Face masks will only need to be worn in a “high risk settings” from Monday as the Victorian Government starts to ease COVID-19 restrictions.
Farm groups are warning the risk of worker exploitation in the horticulture industry is rising, blaming state governments for not developing plans to bring in foreign workers as the summer harvest heats up. Acute shortages in the agriculture workforce are being driven by coronavirus restrictions on overseas workers entering the country.
The Mental Health Foundation Australia is seking interested persons to join their Multicultural Ambassador Program in 2021.
Applications for the Mental Health Foundation Australia Multicultural Ambassador Program 2021 are open to all members of the community who represent one Australia’s many multicultural communities and is passionate about better mental health outcomes, increased awareness and reduced stigma around mental health issues in Australia’s multicultural communities.
Victorian Multicultural Commission and Very Reverend Dr Michael Protopopov OAM of the Orthodox Church give messages about celebrating Orthodox Christmas (7 January) safely, in the midst of non-local Covid-19 outbreak.
The Australian Integrated Fijian Association of Victoria (AIFAV) is organising the 2021 Australia Day event virtually on 26th of January, 2021. This event is proudly supported by the Australian government through the National Australia Day council.
The Victorian government will grant primary producers and agricultural workers exemptions to the New Year’s Eve border closure with NSW, but agricultural workers who travel north of the border to work will still be required to isolate for 14 days and be tested for coronavirus twice.