Debate about minimum wage: Fruit growers demand exceptions for seasonal workers!

Debate about minimum wage: Fruit growers demand exceptions for seasonal workers!

The debate about the minimum wage for seasonal workers in agriculture has once again become more explosive in Lower Saxony. Today, farmers' president Joachim Rukwied is calling for a fundamental discussion about the wages of these employees. He suggests that seasonal workers should only receive 80 percent of the legal minimum wage, since many of them do not live in Germany. This idea finds support from Claus Schlieker, chairman of the fruit growing specialist group in the Lower Saxony rural population, who warns that rising wages could endanger the competitiveness of Lower Saxony's fruit growers. “An increase in the minimum wage could encourage consumers to buy cheaper imported goods,” explains Schlieker, highlighting that labor wages in fruit production account for between 30 and 60 percent of the final price.

Combating the risks of poverty for seasonal workers is on the other side of the coin. Trade unions, especially IG BAU and the SPD, firmly reject Rukwied's move, as many seasonal workers already live on the subsistence level. There is a clear conflict between the demands of farmers and the rights of employees. While the unions insist on a poverty-level wage, Federal Agriculture Minister Alois Rainer (CSU) is open to Rukwied's proposal and is examining legally secure ways to enable exceptions for seasonal workers, as tagesschau.de reports.

The economic challenges

The starting position for many fruit and vegetable farmers is tense. Rainer emphasizes the enormous financial challenges that would arise from raising the minimum wage to 15 euros per hour. He warned of the serious consequences that could threaten seasonal workers without exceptions. In this context, he also mentions the coalition agreement, which provides for an extension of short-term employment to 90 days, as well as the planned reintroduction of agricultural diesel subsidies to give farmers some breathing room.

The role of seasonal workers

A look at the numbers illustrates the importance of seasonal workers in German agriculture. According to a survey, a total of 876,000 workers were employed in this sector in 2023, of which around 243,000 are seasonal workers. Many of these helpers come from other European countries, where the wage level is significantly lower, which increases the attractiveness for these workers. Particular emphasis is placed here on the employment opportunities for seasonal workers from Georgia and the Republic of Moldova, who can come to Germany within the framework of agreements with German employment services.

The discussion about the minimum wage for seasonal workers reflects a larger problem in agriculture and is met with divided opinions. While employers are calling for a reduction in the minimum wage to protect their companies, trade unions and the SPD are calling for fair wages for everyone. An agreement could be crucial for the industry in order to control structural change in agriculture and secure the supply of local food. It remains to be hoped that a consensus will be found that does justice to both agricultural businesses and workers.