Enhanced Taskforce Green
If there's been an emergency event that's caused significant damage, the Government may approve an Enhanced Taskforce Green (ETFG) work programme to help with clean-up and recovery.
The Ministry of Social Development will work with a range of agencies in the impacted area to determine what support is needed. If required we will contract a local provider to employ workers to help with clean-up activities.
These workers could be job seekers or workers at risk of losing their employment because of the emergency.
What costs will be covered by ETFG
ETFG assistance may cover the costs of:
- wages for workers
- wages for supervisors
- purchasing personal safety gear
- hiring light equipment and transport, for example:
- chainsaws
- vans
- four-wheel-drive vehicles
- a start-up grant for local authorities to assist with administration costs.
ETFG does not cover the cost of hiring heavy machinery.
Work and Income's role
Work and Income is responsible for:
- liaising with affected councils and the Ministry for Primary Industries
- contracting a suitably qualified provider to complete the clean-up work required
- identifying suitable workers and profiling them to the provider
- providing identified workers with financial assistance (including Working for Families Assistance information).
The contracted provider's role
The contracted provider will:
- organise Site Safe Certificate training for each ETFG worker
- pay ETFG workers and supervisors
- purchase and/or hire safety gear and equipment, including:
- boots
- gloves
- overalls
- hi-visibility vests
- helmets
- earmuffs
- protective eye wear
- chaps
- wet weather gear
- oversee the day-to-day management of the work programme
- transport workers to and from the areas of work.
Relevant programme costs will be covered by an upfront lump sum payment, by way of a contract with the Ministry of Social Development.
ETFG workers
Each ETFG work crew will be accompanied by a supervisor. Crews will assist with clean-up activities, for example:
- fence clearance and repair
- tree and debris removal on:
- farms
- marae
- orchards
- parks
- reserves.
ETFG crew workers are paid the living wage for a 40 hour week. ETFG supervisors are paid at a higher hourly rate.
Employment disputes
Anyone who expresses concerns regarding the conduct of ETFG workers should be directed to their relevant council for resolution as the council is the employer.