Latest news with #DepartmentofLabour
NZ Herald
2 days ago
- Politics
- NZ Herald
US farmers fear Trump immigration crackdown threatens food security
'There's a whole food chain involved,' from field workers to truck drivers to people working in packing houses and in sales. 'It's just, everybody's scared,' she said - even a multi-generational American like her. 'I'm nervous and I'm scared, because we're feeling like we're being attacked.' Other farmers contacted by AFP declined to speak to the media, saying they feared potential reprisals from the Trump administration. Worker shortages The agricultural sector has for years been trying to find permanent solutions for its perennial labour shortages, beyond issuing temporary permits for migrant workers. 'Some of the work we have is seasonal,' Tate says. 'But really, around here, we need workers that are year-round.' The number of government-certified positions for temporary agricultural workers practically tripled between 2014 and 2024, Department of Labour statistics show, underlining just how much American agriculture depends on foreign workers. On top of that, some 42% of farm workers are not authorised to work in the United States, according to a 2022 study by the Department of Agriculture. Those numbers line up with the struggles many farmers go through to find labour. They say US citizens are not interested in the physically demanding work, with its long days under extreme temperatures, rain and sun. Against that backdrop, Tate warns that removing people who are actually doing the work will cause immeasurable damage. Not only will it harm farms and ranches, which could take years to recover, it will also send food prices soaring, and even endanger US food security, possibly requiring the country to start importing provisions that may previously have been grown at home, she says. 'What we really need is some legislation that has the type of programme that we need, and that works for both the workers, that ensures their safety, it ensures a fair playing field when it comes to international trade, as well as domestic needs,' Tate said. 'Everyone loses' Some farmworkers agreed to speak to AFP on condition of not being fully identified, for fear of being arrested. 'All we do is work,' a worker named Silvia told AFP. She saw several friends arrested in a raid in Oxnard, about 16km west of Ventura. The 32-year-old Mexican lives in constant fear that she will be the next one picked up and, in the end, separated from her two US-born daughters. 'We're between a rock and a hard place. 'If we don't work, how will we pay our bills? 'And if we go out, we run the risk of running into them,' she said, referring to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. 'The way the government is working right now, everybody loses,' said Miguel, who has been working in the fields of southern California for three decades. The 54-year-old said that workers are losing jobs, farm owners are losing their labour, and as a result, the United States is losing its food. Miguel has worked in various agriculture sector jobs, including during the Covid-19 pandemic. All of them were 'very hard jobs,' he said. Now he feels like he has a target on his back. 'They should do a little research so they understand. The food they eat comes from the fields, right?' he said. 'So it would be good if they were more aware, and gave us an opportunity to contribute positively, and not send us into hiding.' - Agence France-Presse
The Sun
7 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Employers must observe Sept 15 as additional public holiday
PUTRAJAYA: Employers must comply with the declaration of Sept 15 as an additional public holiday in conjunction with this year's Malaysia Day celebration, said Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong. He said employers could observe the additional public holiday and pay the regular salary, or instruct their employees to work and pay according to the public holiday rates. 'Employers can also opt to give a replacement holiday on another day if their employees are required to work on that public holiday. 'To ensure the implementation of the additional public holiday is fair and organised, the Department of Labour (JTK) is prepared to provide advisory services as well as answer any queries from employers and employees regarding the implementation of this additional public holiday,' he said in a statement today. Sim said the Ministry of Human Resources (KESUMA) welcomes Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's announcement that Sept 15 will be designated as an additional public holiday in conjunction with the Malaysia Day celebration. 'This announcement is good news for workers in the public and private sectors nationwide. 'This additional holiday allows all Malaysians to celebrate unity, strengthen the spirit of nationalism and appreciate the uniqueness of the formation of Malaysia as a multi-racial, multi-religious and multi-cultural country,' he said. Sim also called on Malaysians to use the long holiday for recreation, thus promoting well-being among workers and stimulating economic activities, which in turn will have a positive impact on the local economy. The implementation of the additional holiday is subject to provisions under Section 60D(1) of the Employment Act 1955 (Act 265) for Peninsular Malaysia and the Federal Territory of Labuan; the Sabah Labour Ordinance (Chapter 67), the Sarawak Labour Ordinance (Chapter 76) and the Holidays Act 1951 (Act 369) as the basis for the announcement of the official additional holiday by the Government. Employers or employees requiring further information can contact the JTKSM via its hotline at 03-8886 5192/5937, by email at jtksm@ or at any nearby JTK offices. - Bernama
Borneo Post
7 days ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
Minister: Employers must observe Sept 15 as additional public holiday
Sim says employers must comply with the declaration of Sept 15 as an additional public holiday in conjunction with this year's Malaysia Day celebration . — Malay Mail photo PUTRAJAYA (July 23): Employers must comply with the declaration of Sept 15 as an additional public holiday in conjunction with this year's Malaysia Day celebration, said Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong. He said employers could observe the additional public holiday and pay the regular salary, or instruct their employees to work and pay according to the public holiday rates. 'Employers can also opt to give a replacement holiday on another day if their employees are required to work on that public holiday. 'To ensure the implementation of the additional public holiday is fair and organised, the Department of Labour (JTK) is prepared to provide advisory services as well as answer any queries from employers and employees regarding the implementation of this additional public holiday,' he said in a statement today. Sim said the Ministry of Human Resources (Kesuma) welcomes Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's announcement that Sept 15 will be designated as an additional public holiday in conjunction with the Malaysia Day celebration. 'This announcement is good news for workers in the public and private sectors nationwide. 'This additional holiday allows all Malaysians to celebrate unity, strengthen the spirit of nationalism and appreciate the uniqueness of the formation of Malaysia as a multi-racial, multi-religious and multi-cultural country,' he said. Sim also called on Malaysians to use the long holiday for recreation, thus promoting well-being among workers and stimulating economic activities, which in turn will have a positive impact on the local economy. The implementation of the additional holiday is subject to provisions under Section 60D(1) of the Employment Act 1955 (Act 265) for Peninsular Malaysia and the Federal Territory of Labuan; the Sabah Labour Ordinance (Chapter 67), the Sarawak Labour Ordinance (Chapter 76) and the Holidays Act 1951 (Act 369) as the basis for the announcement of the official additional holiday by the Government. Employers or employees requiring further information can contact the JTKSM via its hotline at 03-8886 5192/5937, by email at [email protected], or at any nearby JTK offices.
Malaysian Reserve
22-07-2025
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
KESUMA: RM1,700 minimum wage order to be fully enforced on Aug 1
PUTRAJAYA — The 2024 Minimum Wage Order of RM1,700 will come into full effect from Aug 1, according to the Ministry of Human Resources (KESUMA). In today's statement, KESUMA announced that the order will apply to employers nationwide, regardless of the number of employees hired, following the end of the six-month deferment period on July 31. 'Effective Aug 1, 2025, without exception, all employers, including those who previously benefited from the deferment period, must comply with the RM1,700 monthly minimum wage order. 'This includes non-citizen employees and contract apprentices, but does not apply to domestic workers,' read the statement. The ministry reminded employers to review their company's wage structure to ensure no employee receives a basic salary below the stipulated minimum rate, and to progressively adjust operations by focusing on productivity enhancement and employee skills training. KESUMA also warned that failure to comply with the order is an offence under the National Wages Consultative Council Act 2011, which carries a fine of up to RM10,000 for each affected employee, with an additional penalty of RM1,000 for each day the offence continues after conviction. For repeat offences, the maximum penalty may reach RM20,000 or imprisonment for up to five years. The ministry also encouraged employers to adopt the voluntary progressive wage policy (PWP) that serves to complement the implementation of the minimum wage order. 'Through the PWP, employers have the opportunity to raise employees' incomes based on productivity, skills, and work contributions, while also benefiting from targeted cash incentives provided by the government. 'This not only helps companies retain highly skilled workers but also strengthens long-term competitiveness in an increasingly challenging labour market,' it added. Complaints regarding the implementation of the Minimum Wage Order can be submitted to the Department of Labour nationwide or via KESUMA's official website. Further information on the minimum wage order and the PWP can be obtained at and respectively. — BERNAMA
eNCA
18-07-2025
- eNCA
SAPS flagged with over 900,000 job applications but only 5,500 will be hired
JOHANNESBURG - As South Africa grapples with a worsening unemployment crisis, the South African Police Service (SAPS) has been flooded with over 900,000 applications. These applications are just for 5,500 police trainee posts targeting young men and women aged 18 to 35. This influx of applications highlights the desperation of thousands of unemployed youth seeking stable employment. With the application window set to close on 18 July, young women accounted for the majority of submissions. According to police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, 527,673 applications have come from females, while 400,204 have come from male applicants. The Bigger Picture Unemployment Deepens In June, the Department of Labour recently released new statistics showing that the youth unemployment rate is now at a shocking 46.1 % Many young people are not just looking for jobs; they are also trying to gain skills and knowledge for the careers they want to pursue. According to the Quarterly Labour Force Survey by Statistics South Africa for the first quarter of 2025: The number of unemployed youth increased by 151,000, reaching 4.8 million. Employed youth decreased by 153,000, now totalling 5.7 million. The youth unemployment rate went up from 44.6 % at the end of 2024 to 46.1 % in the first quarter of 2025. Looking at the overall labour market:
