Greece is unable to cope with the harvest period, it asks for help from Albania

Some regions in Greece are looking for seasonal workers from Albania, to cope with the harvest of autumn agricultural and fruit crops.

The approach of the harvest season, especially of olives, has increased the challenges for Greek farmers who are no longer finding labor force due to the low interest of immigrants to work in Greek farms due to low wages and minimal treatment conditions.

Another factor that has influenced this year, according to Greek experts, is the departure of the existing workforce to other countries, mainly Northern Europe or Great Britain.

According to local Greek authorities, the highest demand for seasonal workers is in the area of ??Veria and Imathias, where every year hundreds of Albanians from Korca and Elbasan are employed.

The Union of Agricultural Cooperatives of Imathea said that it had a meeting this weekend with an Albanian delegation consisting of the mayors of Belsh, Prenjas, the Prefects of the regions of Korça and Elbasan and representatives from the Albanian Ministry of Agriculture.

According to the Union, the discussions have included the promotion of seasonal employment and the facilitation of border movement of Albanian migrants for seasonal work in Greece, as well as agricultural cooperation between regions.

Meanwhile, the National Union of Agricultural Cooperatives in Greece, through a letter addressed on Friday to several ministers such as the Minister of Immigration, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Development and the Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, expressed concern about the emergency situation of the lack of seasonal workers.

The Union affirms that the solution of the issues related to finding land workers is urgent and of critical importance for Greek agriculture, not only for achieving production, but also for containing production costs,

The Union has requested the postponement of the deadline for the application of farmers for seasonal workers, which ended on September 30, and the easing of border practices that it considers too bureaucratic.

Shqipëria ka nënshkruar një marrëveshje me Greqinë për punësimin sezonal në vitin 2020 dhe çdo vit rreth 10 mijë punëtorë shqiptarë punësohen për disa muaj në Greqi, kryesisht në bujqësi.

Punësimi shihet si një ndihmë për ekonominë e familjeve shqiptare në disa zona të qarqeve kufitare me Greqinë.

Dy vjet më parë qeveria greke miratoi dhënien e lejes për 65 mijë punëtorë sezonalë në bujqësi dhe rreth 10 mijë në blegtori.

Sipas parashikimit të autoriteteve greke për vitin 2021 ishin rreth 18 mijë vende të reja në bujqësi dhe 10 mijë të tjera në blegtori ndërsa këtë vit nevojat për punëtorë sezonalë janë thelluar. /VOA