Advice after illegal workers bust at winery

The Fruitgrowers Federation is urging Nelson grape growers to copy its employment system in a bid to stamp out illegal workers.

The move follows a police and Labour Department bust on Friday which netted 10 illegal foreign workers employed at a Waimea Estates vineyard.

The men, aged from 23 to 47, were described by the Labour Department as ship deserters and overstayers. They were taken to Christchurch for deportation.

The federation's Nelson-Marlborough director, Richard Kempthorne, said he was not aware Nelson had a problem with illegal overseas workers, but the raid obviously indicated some people were flouting the law.

"It gives everyone who employs seasonal workers in Nelson a bad name," he said.

He said the liaison system for employing seasonal workers, which the federation had negotiated with Government agencies, was working well for fruitgrowers and Nelson grape growers could benefit from a similar system.

He would discuss the matter shortly with the Nelson Winegrowers group.

- NZPA