Millions of migrant workers in the agricultural sector are exploited in Europe
Violence, long hours, low pay and unsafe working conditions. This is the daily life of millions of migrant workers, including children, working in the fields and forests of Europe. A new report by Oxfam highlights the problems in nine EU countries, including Sweden, where berry pickers and farm workers often live in difficult conditions.
At least 1 in 4 workers in Europe's agricultural sector are migrants, including children. Europe's agricultural industry exploits at least 2.4 million migrants harvesting fruit and vegetables. This is according to the report 'Essential but invisible and exploited' by Oxfam and the University of Comillas.
"The underbelly of Europe's agribusiness industry has exploitation of people in vulnerable situations and violations of European law at its core. And unfortunately, Sweden is no exception. Swedish authorities and companies have tried to address the problems, but the report makes it clear that more needs to be done to strengthen the protection of migrant workers in the EU and in Sweden."
Rosaline Marbinah, Policy Director Oxfam Sweden
In nine of the countries surveyed, with the exception of Finland, migrant workers are paid below the minimum wage, with women mostly receiving lower wages. In Italy, there are cases where female migrant workers earn up to 30% less than men.
Abuse, sexual assault, intimidation and violence against migrant workers in response to strikes are common. Many workers have temporary permits, putting them at greater risk of exploitation due to their precarious employment situation. For example, workers from Thailand were reported to be working up to 19 hours a day in Sweden.
"No European legislator can ignore the exploitation of human beings that hides in the agricultural industry, and sneaks into every European shopping cart. We need to recognize that the problems exist in Sweden too. We need all actors to act - trade unions, politicians and companies - to ensure that human and labor rights apply to everyone working in Sweden, anything else is unreasonable."
Rosaline Marbinah, Policy Director Oxfam Sweden
The majority of migrant workers in Sweden are Thai berry pickers, but the same type of vulnerability also seems to apply to ethnic Roma Bulgarian farm workers in Sweden. They are often employed by an intermediary who takes a large part of their income. They also often charge high fees for transportation to Sweden, leaving the workers heavily in debt when they leave the country.
Accidents and injuries are common because employers do not provide adequate training and protective equipment, especially in Spain and Italy. There are documented cases of workers being poisoned, and one man died after not being given water for a whole working day in 44-degree heat. In Sweden, there are also reports of workers being exposed to harmful plant protection products without the necessary protective equipment.
The housing situation is often horrific for migrant workers. In Sweden, they often live in overcrowded, old and abandoned buildings. In other EU countries, they are forced to live in containers in the fields where they work, or in temporary slums that may lack running water, heating and garbage collection, and where there is a risk of disease and fires - either accidental or set. Some are homeless.
"The EU has recently approved the new law on the liability of large companies for the damage they cause to people and the climate. Hopefully it can make a difference - if EU countries use it right."
Rosaline Marbinah, Policy Director Oxfam Sweden
Oxfam demands:
A guarantee of human rights in the agricultural industry through the recently adopted EU law - the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive. The EU directive is now to be implemented in Sweden and the national implementation needs to ensure that none of the companies covered escape compliance with the legislation.
Promoting representation and defending the rights of migrant farm workers in trade union structures.
Improving housing opportunities through adequate funding.
Ensuring that workers are trained in a language they understand and have the equipment they need.
Access to residence permits and financial compensation for migrants who have been victims of labor law violations. This approach ensures that they are not penalized by immigration laws and receive the necessary support and recognition for the work-related violations they suffered.
Implementing stronger social conditionality in the EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) with agricultural programs and payments strictly adhering to labour and social standards, especially in sectors particularly prone to exploitation such as agriculture.
More information
Spain, France, Italy, the Netherlands and Poland account for 72% of the fruit and vegetables produced in the EU.
The European Economic and Social Committee estimated the number of migrants with temporary contracts working in the agricultural sector in the EU at 2.4 million, 26% of the total number of workers in the EU agricultural sector (9.2 million) in 2021. This does not include those employed on a non-seasonal basis, those employed through intermediary companies and those without papers. It is therefore impossible to have a reliable estimate.
In Sweden, a total of 16 062 migrant workers worked in the agricultural sector in 2021, the majority of whom are berry pickers from outside the EU, particularly Thailand.
The EU has recently approved the new EU law on corporate responsibility. This law - the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) - aims to make large companies trading on the EU market accountable for the harm they cause to people and the planet.