asked the Minister for Tourism, Fisheries and Forestry the reason temporary employees have been paid off while sufficient work is available for them; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Forestry Employees.
105.
The nature of forest work is such that in addition to the corps of permanent employees it is necessary from time to time to employ temporary or contract workers to meet peak seasonal demand. The number employed varies from year to year and is always subject to the availability of funds. It is not, therefore, unusual for a number of temporary workers to be let go around the same time of the year. Indeed this may occur on a number of occasions in any year, particularly following the completion of the planting programme or other seasonal operations and, as in the present case, approaching the end of the financial year when the funds available for this employment are running out.