By Lyonel Doherty, Times Chronicle
A recent 2.8 per cent wage hike for hand-harvest farm workers is sitting well with the BC Fruit Growers’ Association (BCFGA).
General Manager Glen Lucas said the province previously announced inflationary increases would be routine.
“This (wage hike) is more stable for growers as it avoids large jumps,” he said. “Growers appreciate the availability of piece rates, as it allows for self-motivation during the time of critical harvest.”
Lucas said harvest workers like the piece rate system as it rewards hard work and makes possible wages higher, sometimes much higher than minimum wage.
Oliver grower Pinder Dhaliwal, former president of the BCFGA, said piece rates are beneficial to both harvesters and employers.
“Workers can work at their own pace and ability, and the majority of pickers are able to make considerably more than minimum wage.”
Dhaliwal said employers benefit by having harvest occur more smoothly, with less focus on monitoring work.
He noted that many factors play into what each grower might pay for piece rates, including crop load, tree height, ladder use or no use, and colour picking versus no colour picking.
Overall, he reiterated that the wage increase is good for both groups since it provides clarity on what is expected for each type of harvested crop.
