Greece is facing a severe shortage of agricultural workers, prompting urgent appeals from exporters to ease entry requirements for hiring foreign laborers.
The deficit, estimated at 180,000 workers, has led to large areas of land going uncultivated and crops remaining unharvested, significantly impacting farmers and the economy, according to Schengen.News.
The National Interprofessional Organization for Table Olives (DOEPEL) reported that nearly 30% of the country’s green olives for the 2022/23 season were left unharvested, resulting in agricultural revenue losses nearing €27 million. Shortfalls in insurance contributions are projected to exceed €2 million.
In response, exporters are advocating for a hiring strategy similar to the French model, which would streamline criteria for employing nationals from third countries. Greece has already received 14,000 applications for work residence permits following recent legislative changes, with authorities expecting this number to exceed 30,000.
To address immediate shortages, Greece has struck a deal with Egypt to hire 5,000 seasonal workers for the upcoming agricultural season. This initiative, facilitated through a dedicated platform on the Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum’s website since June 10, 2024, marks a significant step forward.
Despite these efforts, industry experts remain concerned, particularly in regions like Crete, Peloponnese, and Macedonia, where the demand for seasonal workers is expected to reach 80,000.
For instance, the Prefecture of Messinia alone requires approximately 4,800 agricultural workers for the entire nine-month cultivation period, according to Aggelis Korovilas, president of the Agricultural Association of Philiatrians of Messinia.
Looking ahead, Greece plans to issue 147,926 residence permits for workers from third countries across 13 regions for the years 2023 and 2024.
Furthermore, proposals have been considered to integrate irregular migrants into the workforce, aiming to alleviate shortages in critical sectors such as construction, agriculture, and tourism, as outlined by Minister of Migration Dimitris Kairidis in September 2023.
