Monday, May 9, 2011

Getting a Job finally^^

Finally we got a job at a packhouse. Of all the three packhouses in Opotiki, ours is the furthest away…about 7 minutes drive away hahahaha but hey! We got a job!!!


And that’s what matters!


The people that we worked with are all very nice and friendly people. They will teach us the ropes in the packhouse and they will constantly help and guide you. No scolding at all even if you make mistakes. They will simply just guide you again.


It’s a great working environment actually. I don’t think we can find such working environment in Malaysia. Somehow, I can just imagine how the people in Malaysia like to scold you if you make mistakes. Then if you repeat the same mistakes, they’ll probably think ,”gawd, how can this person be so stupid?”


The first two week of work is barely what we imagine. Apparently, packhouse don’t operate all the time. They only can operate when there’s fruit to pack. The fruit pickers can only pick kiwi when the day is good. So the chain reaction starts with a good sunny day for pickers to do their job and us packers can pack the fruit for export.


So whenever it rains, it means we are doomed. No work. No money. Nothing to do. In the first two week, we only work for 2 full days. The management told us that they haven’t really go in full swing as they are awaiting the result and approval from the lab (sugar content in fruit test etc). ONLY when the lab say yes, the fruit is good to go, then only they can really pick and pack the fruits.


WE packed mostly gold kiwi but sometimes also green kiwis in between. WE packed 1st grade fruits and sometimes 2nd grade as well. Work is okay, literally stress-free and easy. A bit monotonous though. As the whole day you are repeatedly doing the same action over and over again. Hey, but the money is good so no complain!


I started off as “packers”, just like everyone else. Gradually, I have been moved to grader’s table and become a “grader”. Not too long later “tray pack” was short of people and I was transferred to help. So for a short time, I was in “tray pack” as well. I am multi-talented aren’t I? Hahahaha but in the end, I am a full time “grader” until some other department in need of help then I will be transferred there. Hahaha sometimes I do feel like I’m a ball that’s been kicked here and there whenever they want.


Personally, I quite like being in “traypack” as it allows more movement and thus my leg won’t feel that painful for standing whole day. The downside though is that “traypack” takes up more energy as well compared to other job. But it’s okay. I take it as a form of exercise to keep fit hehehehehe^^ Oh, if you are fast in your work, you can sit down for awhile, which is a luxury that not many people


Unlike some big company, our packhouse offers the same pay rate for all jobs so… no difference la. As I know, some company pays higher for grader and traypack. But nevermind la, got job also happy dy, cannot complain so much^^


Made many new friends in the packhouse. Some kiwis (New Zealanders, not the fruit) local Maoris, Malaysians, Hong Kong, Czech Republic, Taiwan….and more to come^^


All in all, we are happy here^^

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