Debate for minimum wages: Obstbauer demand exceptions for seasonal workers!

Debate for minimum wages: Obstbauer demand exceptions for seasonal workers!

Niedersachsen, Deutschland - The debate about the minimum wage for seasonal workers in agriculture has again gained explosive in Lower Saxony. Today, the farmers' president Joachim Rukwied calls for a fundamental discussion about the wages of these employees. He suggests that seasonal workers should only receive 80 percent of the statutory minimum wage, since many of them do not have their center of life in Germany. This idea finds support with Claus Schlieker, chairman of the fruit building specialist group in the Land people in Lower Saxony, who warns that rising wages could endanger the competitiveness of the Lower Saxony fruit growers. "An increase in the minimum wage could cause consumers to buy cheaper imported goods," explains Schlieker, stating that wages in fruit production are between 30 and 60 percent of the final price.

The fight against poverty risks for seasonal workers is on the other side of the medal. Unions, in particular the IG Bau and the SPD, decide Rukwied's initiative because many seasonal workers already live on the subsistence level. There is a clear conflict between the requirements of farmers and the rights of the employees. While the unions insist on poverty-resistant wages, Federal Minister of the Agriculture Alois Rainer (CSU) is open to Rukwied's proposal and legally checks secure paths to enable exceptions for seasonal workers, such as tagesschau.de reported.

the economic challenges

The starting point for many fruit and vegetable farmers is tense. Rainer emphasizes the enormous financial challenges that would result from an increase in the minimum wage to 15 euros per hour. He warned of the serious effects that could threaten without exceptions for seasonal workers. In this context, he also mentions the coalition agreement, which provides for an expansion of short-term employment to 90 days, as well as the planned reintroduction of agrardiesel subsidies to give farmers some air.

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 seasonal workers are. Many of these helpers come from other European countries, where the wage level is significantly lower, which increases the attractiveness for these labor. The employment opportunities for seasonal workers from Georgia and the Republic of Moldova are particularly emphasized here, which can come to Germany as part of agreements with German labor administrations.

The discussion about the minimum wage for seasonal work reflects a major problem in agriculture and meets split opinions. While employers are demanding a reduction in the minimum wage to protect their companies, unions and the SPD rely on fair wages for everyone. An agreement could be crucial for the industry to control structural change in agriculture and to ensure the supply of domestic food. So it is to be hoped that a consensus will be found that meets both the agricultural companies and the workers.