Greece is facing a critical shortage of agricultural workers, with exporters urgently calling for relaxed entry requirements for foreign laborers.
The shortfall, around 180,000 workers, has left large areas of farmland unproductive and crops unharvested, causing substantial losses for farmers and the economy, according to Schengen.News.
Moreover, the National Interprofessional Organization for Table Olives (DOEPEL) reported that up to 30% of the country’s green olives from the 2022/23 season were left unharvested, resulting in nearly €27 million in lost agricultural revenue. Shortfalls in insurance contributions are estimated to exceed two million euros.
In addition, exporters are advocating for a strategy similar to France’s, which simplifies the hiring process for workers from third countries. Greece has already received 14,000 applications for work residence permits following recent legislative changes, and authorities expect this number to exceed 30,000.
Read More: Labour party win huge majority in UK
To address the immediate shortages, Greece has signed an agreement with Egypt to recruit 5,000 seasonal workers for the upcoming agricultural season. This initiative, launched on June 10, 2024, through the Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum’s website, marks a significant step forward.
