There is interesting news regarding the New Zealand RSE Scheme Cap – the country is all set to increase the seasonal worker cap by 1250. New Zealand will now allow more foreign seasonal workers to come to the country. The most interesting thing is that RSE workers will now be granted multiple-entry visas, which is certainly a sigh of relief. On the part of employers, they will have to pay RSE workers, who return for their third and following (subsequent) seasons, a minimum of 10% above the minimum wage.
Details Regarding the New Zealand RSE Scheme Cap
The latest reports reveal that the New Zealand government has decided to enhance the RSE (Recognized Seasonal Employer Scheme) cap by 1250. It was announced on the official immigration website of New Zealand.
According to the latest updates, the number of foreign workers who are allowed to enter New Zealand for seasonal work will now be increased to 20,750 for the year 2024-25 up from 19,500 in the last season.
What is a Seasonal Employment and Seasonal Work Visa?
As far as seasonal employment is concerned, it is a temporary job (employment) in which the workforce works during certain times of the year. Although, it is a part-time work but in certain cases, it is a full-time seasonal work. Some businesses or companies open during certain times of the year such as summer camps, they hire seasonal workers.
New Zealand’s seasonal work visas are quite famous in the world since the country has signed agreements with numerous countries in the world from where people come to do seasonal jobs in New Zealand. With the New Zealand Working Holiday Scheme (WHS), work permits or work visas issued to eligible people allow them to be in New Zealand for up to one year time or 23 months for UK nationals and to work in New Zealand for up to 3 months for any one employer.
On the recognized seasonal employer limited visa, the eligible people are entitled to come to New Zealand for a short period to work in the viticulture and horticulture industries. Before they apply, they need to possess a job offer from a recognized seasonal employer. Seasonal work visas in New Zealand are often used in the fruit, fishing, vegetable, and meat industries.
Latest Updates About the New Zealand RSE Scheme Cap
As mentioned in the earlier lines of the article, New Zealand has now decided to enhance the RSE cap by 1250. It was announced on the official immigration website of New Zealand. The number of foreigners allowed to enter New Zealand will now increase to 20,750 for the year 2024-25 from the last number of 19,500.
Authorities from the New Zealand Government explain that the new policy will follow demands from some fraternity (industry) groups and Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) recommendations. It is expected that this new increase in quotas will certainly help meet industry projections for development (growth), particularly in kiwifruit exports and relevant plans to widen their operations. It will balance the needs of labor in the industry and the availability of the workers’ accommodation.
Seasonal workers are now set to cheer up as the government has also announced the grant of multiple-entry visas to the workers which will allow them to leave and then enter the country with ease during the season.
The new rules will require employers to pay seasonal workers an average of 30 hours a week over 4 weeks. In the meantime, RSE workers, who return for their third and following seasons, have to be paid a minimum of 10% above the minimum wage such as NZD 25.47 or US$ 15.31.
New Rule for Workers from Timor-Leste
The existing rules do not allow employers to hire RSE workers from Timor-Leste. But with the new regulations in place, it can be expected that the workers from Timor-Leste can be hired in the future. The reports reveal that the New Zealand government has decided to include Timor-Leste in the Recognized Seasonal Employer Scheme. According to the latest New Zealand RSE Scheme cap details, the changes might occur in September 2024 and can be effective on 2nd September 2024.