All those lazy Australians who do not want the fruit picking jobs

[*kazumi*]

People being lured on promise of $3800 per week and then forced to sign that they understand they may earn less than minimum wage. 

https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/national/2020/11/15/farm-work-australia-wages/

[rogespeed]

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@the_great_she_elephant wrote:

Rather off topic, but here's a vaguely fruit picking related story that might amuse you all and lighten the discussion a bit. 

When I was a teenager growing up in East Anglia I used to go fruit picking in the Summer holidays to earn a bit of pocket money.  Many local women used to do it too - it was a nice little income.

On one occasion I was picking down one side of a row of blackcurrant bushes and a friendly older woman - a total stranger - was working  down the other. We chatted a bit about this and that and then suddenly, out of the blue, she asked me in her broad East Anglian accent "Do yar hens stay in?"

I was a bit taken aback as I hadn't even told her we kept hens, but being a polite child, I smiled and said "Pretty much - as long as no-one leaves the gate open."

There was a silence. She looked at me as if I was a bit peculiar and then, without further comment went back to her work.

It wasn't until ages afterwards that I realised what she had actually asked me was "Do your hands stain" (from the fruit )

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I have a funny story relating to orange picking : being paid $25 per bin 

[myoclon1cjerk]

"40 hour week mandated In Australia since 1948 ..... , and in more modern times 38 hour week since late 1980's , with one extra day off per month - where are you located ? "

Manus 😄

[not_for_sale2025]

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@rogespeed wrote:

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@myoclon1cjerk wrote:
Possibly the most unionised sector in Australia is the public sector. They have the perks that are the envy of most other industries i.e a five day week with weekends off to spend with family etc. Banks etc also have those desirable conditions.

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40 hour week mandated In Australia since 1948  ..... , and in more modern times 38 hour week since late 1980's , with one extra day off per month - where are you located ? 

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What difference does it make where I live. Is the 38 hour week the "perks" that you refer to? Do you have any idea about the union battles that have been fought both during and well before enterprise bargaining to achieve the current conditions. And as I mentioned, the sacrifices made over the decades have been many. While much has been gained, there were also conditions which were lost. The trade offs are often in favour of the Government.

And then there are the absurd hours some public sector workers are obligated to work, which results in dangerous practices due to inadequate sleep, deterioration in health and early burnout. I am referring to nurses, doctors and the police - think about it. This is not confined to one State, it is country wide. Some people need to wake up, open their eyes, and think about the history behind some of the union struggles to gain fair working conditions for public sector workers. 

[rogespeed]

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@myoclon1cjerk wrote:
"40 hour week mandated In Australia since 1948 ..... , and in more modern times 38 hour week since late 1980's , with one extra day off per month - where are you located ? "

Manus 😄

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oh , the refugee's paradise ? 

[rogespeed]

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@not_for_sale2025 wrote:

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@rogespeed wrote:

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@myoclon1cjerk wrote:
Possibly the most unionised sector in Australia is the public sector. They have the perks that are the envy of most other industries i.e a five day week with weekends off to spend with family etc. Banks etc also have those desirable conditions.

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40 hour week mandated In Australia since 1948  ..... , and in more modern times 38 hour week since late 1980's , with one extra day off per month - where are you located ? 

---

What difference does it make where I live. Is the 38 hour week the "perks" that you refer to? Do you have any idea about the union battles that have been fought both during and well before enterprise bargaining to achieve the current conditions. And as I mentioned, the sacrifices made over the decades have been many. While much has been gained, there were also conditions which were lost. The trade offs are often in favour of the Government.

And then there are the absurd hours some public sector workers are obligated to work, which results in dangerous practices due to inadequate sleep, deterioration in health and early burnout. I am referring to nurses, doctors and the police - think about it. This is not confined to one State, it is country wide. Some people need to wake up, open their eyes, and think about the history behind some of the union struggles to gain fair working conditions for public sector workers. 

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not without financial benefits - and in the end they do not have to work overtime 

[shoppingbag*]

The application to become a fruit picker is ridiculous, the demands are great as are the agreements before you even start. Guarantee to last the season?? How can anyone know this, when the first day may leave you unable to walk for a week, or do your back in for good.

[rogespeed]

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@davewil1964 wrote:

I don't want a fruit picking job.

I'm not lazy. I have no back and non-functional knees. Which I naturally blame the Government for - they were the ones who said I should exercise.

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Do not worry - without back packers no doubt you will be enthusiastically nominated by your job agency to the orchards but would be assigned to pick from the lower branches without the need to use a ladder, and the farmer will provide a shady gazebo on wheels that covers the tree , side to side , which is moved tree to tree along the row , to provide welcome shade and be provided iced water from solar powered urn and even a portaloo with real toilet paper !  

You can now earn $300 per fortnight before deductions get screwed out of your pension etc and you can option not to have tax taken out so you can enjoy the full value of your labour, until end of financial year , - so enjoy the extra $75 per day and new found fitness ...although hopefully they pay more now for a filled bin