Canberra has issued an urgent appeal for foreign backpackers to help staff Australia’s farms, shops and restaurants after a crippling labour shortage forced store closures and squeezed the fresh fruit and meat supply.
The invitation marks a striking turnround for Australia. The government all but sealed its borders almost two years ago to protect the country from the coronavirus pandemic, with many Australian citizens stranded abroad for months.
The strict border policies hit the farming industry particularly hard. The industry has historically relied on backpackers, who make up about 80 per cent of the 40,000-strong seasonal workforce.
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