Labour group calls for improved conditions for seasonal workers
The Worker Support Centre is urging the government to implement better working conditions and minimum accommodation standards for seasonal workers in the UK. The organization assists foreign agricultural workers and helps resolve disputes between workers and employers. In the first half of 2024, the WSC received complaints from seasonal workers on more than 50 farms, involving over 400 workers, many of which were related to substandard working and living conditions.
Foreign workers in the horticultural sector are granted visas to work in the UK for up to six months a year and are entitled to at least the national minimum wage. However, the WSC highlights the dependency of workers on their employers for their status, pay, housing, and employment, calling for government action to ensure legal entitlement to minimum accommodation standards and enforcement.
A mid-year report by the WSC identified dismissals, wage pressure, poor housing, health and safety issues, and difficult transfers as major concerns for workers. Many workers reported physical and mental health impacts due to poor housing conditions such as dampness, mold, cold, broken furniture, and overcrowding. Seasonal agricultural workers can be charged up to £9.99 a day for tied accommodation, often living in overcrowded caravans with monthly revenues reaching around £1,800 per caravan.
The WSC saw an increase in workers raising issues in 2024, particularly regarding housing conditions, with over 80 workers from 16 farms contacting the organization for help. The number of workers seeking assistance with pay disputes doubled, while health and safety concerns were raised by 33 individuals. The WSC is advocating for improved conditions and standards to ensure the well-being of seasonal workers in the UK.
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Maria Sanchez completed her Bachelor’s degree in Plant Sciences from the University of California, Davis, in the USA. Her studies focused on plant genetics and biotechnology, with an emphasis on developing disease-resistant crop varieties. Maria has contributed to several research projects aimed at improving crop resilience to climate change and is now pursuing her Master’s degree in Plant Breeding.