Migration in the sectors represented by the European Federation
of Food, Agriculture and Tourism Trade Unions (EFFAT)
Slide 2
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!
Slide 3
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
Slide 4
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.
Slide 5
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.
Slide 6
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.
Slide 7
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).
Slide 8
Equal pay for equal work The principle of equal treatment
irrespective of place of origin or work contract continues to
underpin EFFATs 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.
