The chief executive officer of NT Farmers has said the the Fair Work Commission's draft decision on Wednesday to guarantee fruit pickers a minimum wage was not a concern to the Territory's producers.
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"Piece rates are not widely used in the Territory, the majority of our produce is picked by groups of workers, not individuals," said Paul Burke .
"NT Farmers will always support 'a fair day's work for a fair day's pay'."
Mr Burke said harvest workers are essential for local industry.
"NT Farmers are committed to ensuring that all workers are treated fairly and appropriately compensated for their work on farms."
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Katherine is an important regional centre supporting the horticulture industry and servicing the surrounding communities.
The town is a natural transport crossway connecting the Ord River and the Kimberley to the west, Alice Springs to the south and Queensland to the east.
The National Farmers Federation, had argued that piecework rate arrangements attracted more ambitious workers and incentivised productivity.
Instead, the Australia Workers Union is claiming the decision to be an historic victory.
The AWU sought to amend the Horticulture Award to guarantee every worker is entitled to take home the minimum casual rate of pay, currently $25.41 per hour.
The union said piecework arrangements had often been exploited and claimed some pickers were earning as little as $3 per hour.
The FWC ruled in favour of the AWU finding "the existing pieceworker provisions in the Horticulture Award are not fit for purpose; they do not provide a fair and relevant minimum safety net".
AWU national secretary Daniel Walton said it was one of the most significant industrial decisions of modern times.
"Fruit pickers in Australia have been routinely and systemically exploited and underpaid. Too many farmers have been able to manipulate the piece rate system to establish pay and conditions far beneath Australian standards," Mr Walton claimed.
NT Farmers said the Territory horticultural industry is renowned amongst seasoned fruit pickers.
"It is important to highlight that many harvest workers in the Territory return year after year due to the generous employment conditions that local farms provide," Mr Burke said.
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