Down to Earth Agribusiness

Don't work for them unless you like being jerked around and being taken advantage of

Started working for the company in the beginning of the picking season. Was told at the induction that there would be work and was even promised work during said induction along with about 50 other people. We were told that we would get tools, hi vis vests, etc. Was then told they would be in touch via text message about starting work the next day or further in the week. Fast forward a week and no communication about start days or any other communication whatsoever. Called and spoke to the office and was told they would be in touch after another 2 days was given a job doing fruit dropping. Showed up and was told it would be a one day assignment. The supervisor was surprised when 5 of us showed up and had no tools, no hi vis or any other communication about what was expected if us. After an hour of waiting for tools to arrive we worked the day and were sent home. No communication came for another week until paychecks came and was surprised to find that we had tool charges taken out of our checks despite the fact we weren't issued any tools and returned the ones we used at the end of the day. When we brought up the pay issue and the no communication issue, I was told "your services would no longer be required, that the supervisors did not think you were suitable for the position" despite only working for 1 supervisor, and given no other jobs, the "supervisors" claimed I and others were unsuitable after bringing up pay and other issues.

Do
Not
Work
For
Them

The staff talk smack behind others, I was berated and belittled by a supervisor for trying to do my job and for following orders, saw it happen to others too, staff don't communicate what is happening for the day, tried to make a complian about it, then got unfairly dismiss, avoid this company, staff are too aggressive.

I worked here. The working hours are very few. The staff is bipolar. The wages at the end of the week are very poor. I do not advise doing business with them.

Company that says there is no longer any work but recruits new people. The work is done anyhow, we are paid a few cents per tree, run away.

WORST WORKING CONDITIONS EVER IN MY LIFE! I regret so much spending fuel to come to Margaret river and work in the grape picking industry. I worked there for a week and I’m already looking for ANY OTHER PLACE to complete my 88 days. Apparently the other grape picking agencies here are the same. I’ve met several people who are stuck in this town because they are broke and homeless, their pay rates are super low. I doubt it’s legal to pay so little. They don’t provide water, breaks or anything and sometimes the toilets are so far away that people had to pee literally anywhere. They provide working equipment but you need to pay for it and it’s taken from salary. Also they don’t care if it is raining or not, they make you go and if you don’t go they just tell you to work for another agency, like showing in a very arrogant way that they are superior and that they don’t need you cause anyone is desperate to work for the 88 days. I can’t believe they are asking foreigners (most of them having degrees, lawyers, psychologists, professors and economists) to work in these conditions and expect them to accept it and not complain. They made me waste money and time of my year in Australia.

Thanks to Carl and his team, great guys to deal with

cheers Luke

Any work deserves salary. But superannuation also!
Since December, 2015, I wait for my superannuation, and in spite of reminder e-mails, for nothing!

Watch out, not honest!