As part of our management services we are often required to source seasonal labour for our clients. This year although over budgeting for numbers we have still fallen short. And speaking with other famers and growers we aren't the only ones who have encountered this problem.
Its reported their is a rising demand for Pickers, Packers, Processors and drivers.
As a result farm workers have seen wages soar in a bid to encourage more people to come forward to work.
The reasons for the shortages mainly being Brexit and COVID-19.
Fewer seasonal workers are coming from Europe to carry out the jobs and few Britons are applying for the roles.
The labour has got "tighter and tighter".
Farmers are finding it hard to employ new workers to carry out the most basic of duties.
A large percentage of fruit and produce picked and packed in the U.K is done by Eastern Europeans. From the end of June it was made that people who didn't have a pre-settled status wouldn't be able to work.
The government have since implemented a visa scheme to allow in agricultural workers from the EU and Ukraine, which meant 30,000 overseas workers can come and work on farms. But I fear this may not be enough.
COVID-19 strikes again!
We cant just blame Brexit for the Labour shortages, COVID-19 and the limited travel restrictions between the EU and Britain has led to a massive hole in the labour available for famers.
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