Impact assessment of seasonal labor migration in Australia and New Zealand: A win–win situation?

Abstract

The employment of foreign seasonal workers is often advocated as a win–win situation for both employers and workers, as labor shortages can be filled and at the same time foreign workers are able to access labor opportunities. However, these schemes are also being criticized for being prone to exploiting migrants as cheap labor without granting them sufficient rights. This article analyzes the impact of seasonal worker schemes in Australia and New Zealand, researching under what conditions these schemes constitute a win–win situation. This article will first outline the main features of the seasonal worker schemes in New Zealand and Australia. Subsequent sections will cover social protection rights, the characteristics of relevant agricultural industries and the interests of employers. The article concludes with an analysis of critical aspects that can be considered as good practice.