SUPPORT FOR MIGRANT FRUIT PICKETS

 

SUPPORT FOR MIGRANT FRUIT PICKETS

An unpublished Landworker magazine article

 

Unite’s Steve Leniec (@SteveLeniec) and Bridget Henderson added Unite’s support for migrant workers protesting outside the Home Office in London about the poor conditions they have endured whilst working for Haygrove soft fruit supplier whose products end up in the delivery boxes of such as Riverford and Abel and Cole.

Workers raised banners stating ‘Justice is Not Seasonal’ and ‘End Forced Labour.’ It was the first time migrant workers have taken their case to the capital. Their spokesperson Julia Quecaño Casimiro gave an impassioned speech.

Around 1,000 Haygrove workers are recruited by labour provider Fruitful Job under the Seasonal Worker Visa Scheme. (SWS) Launched in 2019 this recruits temporary agricultural workers for up to six months from outside the EU. Without them many fields would remain unpicked. According to NFU President Tom Bradshaw, worker availability has been “a significant barrier to growth” and the organisation would like to see a longer-term scheme put in place.  Amidst the farmers protests about inheritance tax it would be great to see the issue of low pay for migrant and all farmworkers raised.

From an initial 2,500 SWS entrants, mainly Ukrainians, the numbers have risen annually to 45,000, 2,000 in the poultry industry and 43,000 in agriculture, in 2025.

From the start, SWS attracted press coverage – including in LANDWORKER– highlighting complaints from many workers of discrepancies between the information they received before travelling and the work actually given on arrival. The Tories were even forced to conduct internal studies into the scheme but steadfastly refused financial support to allow migrant community organisations and trade unions, essentially Unite, to meet and organise workers.

In 2023, Unite and the TUC joined NGOs in establishing the Seasonal Worker Interest Group to advocate for migrant seasonal workers including access to independent worker support. However, Sir Keir Starmer’s government has maintained the SWS largely unchanged. This has encouraged, despite DEFRA’s claims that the vast majority on the schemes are content, the recent protests.

“Around 25 overseas workers, mainly Latin American, and Chilean particularly, were protesting. They were backed by many organisations, “ states tractor driver Steve.

“They reported an abuse culture. They never obtained their promised wages because of working in less cultivated fields. Despite having the skills, it was impossible to pick quickly enough to earn even the minimum wage.”

Bonded Labour

Steve reports “these workers are bonded to one employer; unable to seek work elsewhere” and  “after their complaints were ignored they took the brave decision to stop work” six months ago. Helped by the Landworkers’ Alliance and the United Voices of the World, they were presenting a petition calling on the Home Office to resolve their desperate plight. This included not having any monies to get home and forcing a reliance on charitable organisations for food and accommodation. Disgracefully, the government body refused to accept the petition.

Steve’s short speech on Unite’s behalf was translated to the rally.

“I said we supported them and understood their problems. Like all farm workers they pay the cost for cheap food prices brought on by the supermarkets’ constant shove to reduce the farm gate prices. But, of course, they also have additional worries by not knowing their rights and how to obtain them.”

To support SWS migrant workers, Steve is pleased Unite is launching a Scottish pilot scheme alongside the Edinburgh NGO Worker Support Centre https://workersupportcentre.org.uk that aims to prevent labour abuse and exploitation for marginalised and isolated workers.  

An app will explain to workers in multi languages their rights including how to join Unite and what support they could expect during  their short stay; which has made previous recruitment efforts difficult as migrant workers are often hidden from local communities.

Meanwhile, the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority, established thanks to the TGWU/Unite led campaign that followed the 2004 Morecambe Bay Cockle Pickers tragedy, has shared a series of short videos explaining the process of applying for the seasonal worker scheme and detailed that workers should be aware before starting work of their rights. Go to:- https://www.gla.gov.uk/whats-new/latest-press-releases/30012025-glaa-reminds-sws-workers-to-understand-their-rights

Workers can call the GLAA on 0800 432 0804 and the Modern Slavery and Exploitation Helpline on 08000 121 700. They are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.