Growers and immigration experts slam proposal to allow workers to be part-paid in fruit and veg

National Farmers' Federation wants non-monetary benefits' such as food and board to be considered in pay deals

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The National Farmers' Federation proposal to take non-monetary benefits" into account when negotiating pay deals has attracted strong criticism from farmers and immigration experts who claim it could erode workers' rights.

Chris Kelly, a Victorian grain grower, said the proposal was appalling" and called it an attempt to stretch the boundaries" of what was reasonable and fair.