Bid to shore up food supply
Valencia region and national governments make efforts to find fruit pickers
AFTER farmers expressed concern last week about the shortage of labour to collect the stone fruits harvest, the Valencia government studied how to find people to fill these temporary positions.
The upcoming harvests include loquats (nísperos), cherries and other summer fruits, as well as more mature oranges.
The regional employment service (Labora) is working to detect people with farming experience on their database, as well as people looking for jobs in other sectors who might be interested in working a season in the fields.
Councillor for agriculture, Mireia Mollà praised farmers for supplying the population with food and creating employment during the health crisis. She said the initiative would ‘connect farmers with workers who live locally so could get to work safely’.
Unemployed people can currently register online (www.labora.gva.es) and there are videos and tutorials showing how to use the system. Farmers with smallholdings can contact Labora by telephone or email their local employment office.
The national government on Tuesday approved a royal decree with temporary, urgent measures to make enough workers available to carry out the seasonal farm jobs and guarantee the supply of fresh produce.
Minister for agriculture Luis Planas estimated 75,000 to 80,000 workers are needed for various jobs over the harvest campaign.
He said shortages would also result in ‘unwelcome’ price increases, and noted that two thirds of the produce is exported so it is also necessary to supply these markets and maintain this important source of income for the farming sector and the country as a whole.
The criteria for hiring workers establishes that they must live in the same municipality or an adjacent one.
It is permitted to hire workers who are receiving social benefits for unemployment or other reasons unconnected with the measures due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and these payments will be compatible with the salary they receive for the farm work.
Sr Planes said the only exceptions are workers receiving unemployment benefit due to an ERTE (temporary lay-off) or reduction of activity caused by the health crisis, which are not compatible.
Foreign workers who are legally resident in Spain and have a work permit that expires before June 30 will have it renewed and permits will be granted to those aged between 18 and 21.
Each job contract will be formalised in writing and the salary will be at least the minimum wage (SMI) and will be paid by bank transfer.