Pooginagoric turkey farmer John Watson says overseas workers are critical to fill a void in the South East workforce.
He welcomed the government's plan to encourage more of them to stay longer in the regions.
"All the business owners you talk to, their biggest problem is finding workers and it is not just around here, but other regional areas too," he said.
"Without migrant workers you could almost put a sign up at Keith saying the SE is closed for business.
"From all SE vineyards to the meatworks at Naracoorte to JBS (abattoir), onion packing sheds and Blue Lake Milling at Bordertown - they all rely heavily on migrant labour."
For the past year, Mr Watson and his wife Robyn, who process between 28,000 and 30,000 birds annually, have employed Malaysian-born Shamsul Azrin Abdullah among their workforce of nine permanent staff.
We are fortunate to have good workers but if anyone left we probably would have to look at another overseas worker and I would not hesitate employing another one.
- JOHN WATSON
They have been impressed by his cheerful disposition and strong work ethic processing and packaging the turkey meat.
"We are fortunate to have good workers but if anyone left we probably would have to look at another overseas worker and I would not hesitate employing another one," he said.
Mr Watson says the government's plan to make it easier for migrant workers to put down roots in the community will give employers more stability in their workforce, but the shortage of available rental accommodation in Bordertown needs to be addressed.
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"When the men come, they share accommodation with a few together in the same house, but if they bring their families, they will need homes of their own," Mr Watson said.
Mr Abdullah - or Sam as he is known - has been in Australia since 2016 on a protection visa.
He says he loves his new home and has even become a SES volunteer.
Mr Abdullah is also involved with the local Migrant Resource Centre, which provides a meeting place for many of the overseas workers living in the Tatiara region.
"I come from a big city, Kuala Lumpur, so I prefer the countryside," he said.
"I have not had much luck in my own country, but Australia is so safe and friendly."
