Migration in the sectors represented by the European Federation of Food, Agriculture and Tourism Trade Unions (EFFAT)

About EFFAT EFFAT represents 120 national trade unions from 38 European countries. EFFAT defends the interests of more than 2.6 million trade union members throughout the food chain, “from farm to fork” – ie. in agriculture, in food and drink, and in hotels, restaurants and catering – towards the European institutions, European employers’ associations and transnational companies’ management. Only safe jobs and good working conditions can also guarantee safe and high quality food!

Migrant workers in the EFFAT sectors Agriculture and tourism sectors employ many seasonal/temporary workers. Many employers in the food, drink and tobacco sectors compete for the lowest paid workers. Much of this migrant work is precarious. Results from 2011 study

Precarious work Precarious work is characterised by: – absence of choice (over place or nature of work) – inadequate or low income – inability to make future plans – lack of employment protection – absence of representation and access to justice. Precarious work obstructs the movement of vulnerable workers like young people to more stable employment, and fosters segmented labour markets.

An example in agriculture Unions have seen a growth in precarious work in agriculture, with seasonal and migrant labour experiencing especially high levels of job insecurity, low pay and poor health and safety. Yvan Sagnet, coordinator for migrants of FLAI-CGIL, has become a well-known advocate for migrant workers in Italy after leading a revolt against the gangmasters at a farm in Puglia, Italy, while undertaking exploitative farm work to pay his university fees in 2011.

An example in the food sector Meat slaughtering and processing operations are particularly identified with high levels of precarious work. The sector is at risk from social dumping, with labour providers competing to source workers on the lowest possible pay and cut costs wherever they can. October 2012: Around 150 exploited Romanian workers found in slaughterhouses in Anderlecht, Belgium “Yes, we are being exploited, but we keep our mouths shut for fear of being shown the door. There are plenty of others just queuing up to take our places. And we simply cannot afford to become unemployed.”

An example in hospitality Labour market flexibility combined with the low level of compliance and enforcement in the UK, particularly in low-skilled sectors such as hospitality, expose vulnerable and migrant workers to exploitation (UK Migrant Advisory Committee, July 2014). Half of all employers in hospitality use contracts that do not guarantee a minimum number of hours. 1.4m zero-hour contracts in the UK (Office of National Statistics, May 2011). Employers in hospitality consider migrants more apt to sustain temporary, seasonal or unpleasant work with unsociable hours than local workers, since they are less likely to be trade union members (UK MAC, July 2014).

Equal pay for equal work The principle of equal treatment irrespective of place of origin or work contract continues to underpin EFFAT’s work in the area of migration. In particular, the internal market allowing for the free movement of capital, services, workers and freedom of establishment is only acceptable if implemented with strong social rules that guarantee equal treatment and fair competition.

More