Building trust with Riverland seasonal workers
Building trust with Riverland seasonal workers
25 August 2022
The Berri Salvos Stores team provides more than just clothing for seasonal workers; help is provided in practical areas such as learning English, understanding their rights and how to settle into life in Australia.
“It’s in the little things that they know they can trust the Salvos,” said Helen Adamczyk, Berri Salvos Stores Manager, referring to their engagement with Pacific Island seasonal workers in the Riverland region of South Australia.
“It’s hard for them because family is such an important part of their culture,” Helen explained. “So, we like to be supportive and present with them. They are often homesick so having a friendly face is nice for them.”
When it rains, up to 10 busloads of seasonal workers turn up to the Salvos Stores outlet at Berri. Often workers combine their purchases into a shipping container to send home. They mainly buy winter clothing for themselves and summer clothing to send to their families. Helen said she often sees workers using their phones to show items to their spouses back home.
“They are earning good money here, so they can buy a lot of cheap clothing from us,” Helen said.
Helen’s team helps with baby packages because the workers can’t access Medicare. They also help workers understand their rights, how to read payslips, learn English, how to shop, how to use a fridge and what is expected of them living in Australia.
“We try to break down cultural barriers,” Helen said. “For example, they stick together when they come to town, so we help them understand that a large group of Pacific Islander men may be intimidating to locals.”
One of the real joys locals experience is the outward expressions of faith shown by many workers, especially Tongans, who pray before and after work, and spontaneously break into song. They organise their own worship services and invite local churches to attend. The Salvos often provide a sausage sizzle at their worship service.
A worship service in full swing.
“It’s just extraordinary to hear 50-100 men singing without any mod cons,” enthused Helen.
At a recent Pacific Islander sports day, the Salvos set up a pop-up stall. A group of female workers from Timor Leste had arrived the day before and descended enthusiastically on the stall to buy clothing and blankets.
Helen’s team is following up on the connection built with the Timor Leste women in preparation for Christmas this year. Helen said that when they can connect at the personal level, they build trust, and the women feel comfortable talking about other issues.
“Life is particularly hard on women seasonal workers because they often come from close-knit families, so we are putting a special focus on them this year,” Helen said.
The Salvos are demonstrating they are also an organisation that employers can trust. They have written to employers to enquire about Christmas plans, how many workers they have and offering a small gift.
“We are open to where God leads us in this space,” Helen said.
Comments
No comments yet - be the first.