“Largest independent study ever” published on treatment of seasonal agricultural workers finds worker welfare and safeguarding concerns.
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From June-December 2023, the WSC supported 405 individuals from over 12 countries worldwide, with 149 cases and 256 enquiries. Of the 149 cases, 74% concerned working conditions. These spanned issues related to pay raised in 26% of cases, including non-payment of wages, or insufficient holiday or sick pay. Health and safety issues were also raised in 17% of cases, including incidences of unaddressed and severe injuries at work.
In addition the WSC helped workers withissues related to the “Seasonal Worker visa” scheme. Workers on this visa are sponsored by a licensed Scheme Operator and employed by a farm, this kind of ‘tied’ and ‘temporary’ visa is known to increase risks of exploitation for workers. Of the 149 cases taken forward 24% related to issues with this visa. 15% related to barriers to workers leaving one farm to work on another with large numbers of workers being forced to remain on farms where they faced abuse and risks of exploitation.
The WSC implements a unique model of worker-driven support directed towards temporary migrant workers – who are generally un-unionised and isolated. All our support work is led by Outreach Caseworkers who are former seasonal agricultural workers themselves.
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