The coronavirus closed the borders, compared to the solutions from the other EU member states the Polish government is not eager to facilitate the arrival of Ukrainians, and the growers are desperate because there is no one to harvest the fruit. Therefore the idea appeared to employ unemployed Poles.
Credit: K. Sak Agronom Plants
In a few days the strawberry harvest will begin. Usually at this time of year there are a lot of seasonal workers from Ukraine. There are only a handful of them this time. Most strawberry growers have less than 1/3 of the employees at their disposal. Producers of other fruits or vegetables will also face the same problem.
Farmers try to delay fruit ripening. The weather is also good because there are no high temperatures, so vegetation slowed down. However, these measures will only help if the government in the coming days makes it easier for seasonal workers to cross the border: in groups like the Hungarian solution that will arrange charter flights (organized by several other EU Member States) to Poland. Unfortunately, the Polish Minister of Health Łukasz Szumowski is full of concerns about letting Ukrainians in. In his opinion, this may cause further spread of the coronavirus.
© Polish Berry Cooperative
Credit: Polish Berry Cooperative
Therefore Poles are encouraged to harvest fruit by associations and organizations of growers. They argue that this is the best job in the world: in conditions that are very attractive and safe today: no particular skills are required, outside in the fresh air and in a safe distance from other work colleagues and well-paid. This is real work at a time when other sectors are having difficulties with employment.
There are many offers from growers looking for employees to pick strawberries on the popular websites. There is even a website dedicated to farmers, www.pracujurolnika.pl. The site is active since May 6, and now there are already several dozen job offers to be found there. And the owner is already planning further expansion of the site and databases.
The Ministry of Agriculture is also willing to support the persuasion of Poles who have lost their jobs to work on the field. The action will start in a few days.
Source: WiOM.pl (via www.agroberichtenbuitenland.nl)
