Workforce challenges continue to place pressure on banana farming businesses and regional communities, particularly around workforce integrity, worker engagement and broader compliance challenges affecting the sector.
In response to a request from the Cassowary Coast Banana Growers’ Association, Australian Banana Growers’ Council has been working to strengthen stakeholder connections and identify practical solutions. ABGC seeks to facilitate outcomes for members that reduce the impact of unethical employers and disengaged workers on farming businesses.
As part of this work, ABGC recently hosted a members-only workforce roundtable on the Cassowary Coast, bringing together 22 banana farming PALM Approved Employers/ABGC members alongside representatives from Australian Border Force, Fair Work Ombudsman, the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR), and the Pacific Island Council Queensland (PICQ).
The session provided growers with an opportunity to openly discuss challenges being experienced on-farm and within local communities, while also identifying practical improvements that support ethical employment practices, worker wellbeing, regulatory understanding and the long-term sustainability of the industry.
A strong theme throughout the workshop was the need for greater accountability across all parts of the system, including workers, labour hire providers, employers and regulators.
There was also strong discussion around the importance of culturally appropriate education and support for workers.
Growers highlighted the need for:
- Stronger and more consistent enforcement of workforce and visa requirements
- Improved intelligence sharing and promotion of reporting pathways
- Greater regulator presence and on-ground compliance activity
- Better support and responsiveness from Workforce Australia and PALM support services
- Greater transparency and accountability across labour hire arrangements
- Practical policy improvements within the PALM Scheme to support worker engagement and retention.
Constructive ideas were also raised around more flexible workforce models, alternative visa pathways, improved worker incentives, and increasing grower representation in PALM Scheme discussions and decision-making.
Importantly, the session also recognised the many positive contributions PALM workers make to the banana industry and regional communities, with participants acknowledging the importance of continuing to support ethical, sustainable and respectful workforce arrangements.
Discussions reinforced the banana industry’s strong commitment to ethical employment practices, worker wellbeing, and maintaining a sustainable and reputable workforce system for the benefit of growers, workers and regional communities alike.
ABGC will now work through the feedback and suggestions raised during the workshop and continue engaging with relevant stakeholders and agencies to explore practical next steps and opportunities for improvement.
Thank you to all grower members and stakeholders who made the time to attend and contribute constructively to the discussion. If you are a member interested in the progress of this work, let us know and we’ll include you on the distribution list
As part of ABGC’s ongoing member engagement and information-sharing activities, Damon Patmore from Australian Border Force will join an online member-only Q&A session on Friday 22 May at 12:30pm. Members can register by emailing [email protected].