Approval for student horticultural scheme

By Kay Kevlihan

A new horticultural workers scheme that provides paid seasonal employment to overseas students working with Irish growers is a prototype that could provide a well monitored and efficient solution to labour shortages in many industries.

The Irish Seasonal Horticultural Workers Scheme (SHWS), run as a pilot project last year by Macra na Feirme in conjunction with An Bord Glas, has been renewed by The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. 250 students from agricultural colleges in Eastern Europe will be allocated to growers from May 1 to October 31.

Last year 200 student workers from universities in Estonia, Lithuania, Poland and Ukraine were placed with 61 growers. SHWS was a new venture for Macra but their experience in student exchange was seen as a crucial factor in successfully handling the first service of its kind in Ireland.

Intensive research into similar schemes operating in Europe meant that the first year of operation of SHWS was relatively problem free. It is cost effective for the grower, provides safeguards for students and employers and it is strictly monitored by Macra.

Cost effective

The downturn in the economy resulting in a slight increase in unemployment levels has prompted the government to tighten up the work permit application process. Because of new restrictions, getting a work permit for non EEA workers is now a tedius and expensive business. Work permit costs of €500 per worker, along with recruitment agency fees, can bring the cost of hiring a non-EEA worker into four figure sums. Work permits for students operating under SHWS are issued to Macra, not the employer, who run the scheme on a non-profit basis. Macra charges the employer a registration fee of €100 and a further charge of €100 per student.

Great potential for industry

250 is a fraction of the labour requirements in the industry. Last year up to 6,000 work permits were issued for the agriculture and fisheries sector, the majority of which were for the horticulture industry. SHWS could have the capability to provide an extensive, well planned and monitored scheme which could circumvent what has become an uncertain and expensive work permit scheme. Its British counterpart Harvesting Opportunity Permit Scheme (HOPS) set up twelve years ago on which SHWS is modelled, provides 15,000 non EU students each year to British growers.

From a growers' point of view the system has many merits. Macra handle all the administrative work involved in sourcing workers, applying for the permit and travel arrangements. They advise growers on their responsibilities and have procedures in place to deal with any difficulties that might arise.

"We take complaints seriously,'' said Damian McDonald, Macra Chief Executive. "The advantages for the students is that they have an arbitrator if they have a difficulty or feel they are not being treated fairly. There are safeguards for both students and employers because of the flexibility the scheme offers.'' Macra, in whose name the permits are issued, have the sole right to decide where students will work.

Advice for growers

Growers who wish to be considered for the scheme must supply Employers Liability Insurance form and must have a Health and Safety Statement. They must be willing to observe the employment legislation regarding minimum wage, issuing pay slips, holiday pay, etc. Good quality accommodation, either on or off-farm must be provided at a reasonable cost.

"We were happy with the quality of the students last year but some universities were better at selecting students than others,'' said Damian McDonald. "This year we are being more choosy about which universities we use.''

He stressed that students must return to their colleges at the end of October. "We have instigated safeguards with documentation from universities showing the students' commitment to return to their studies. We will not continue to place with growers who facilitate students breaking the rules of the scheme.''

Although most students have been allocated to employers, there are still a few students available. Macra will take applications from growers at any stage and they are forming a waiting list. Contact Mary O'Hare at 01-4508000.

Growers' comments:

Thomas Kerrigan, Niall Kerrigan and Sons Ltd, potatoes, fruit and vegetable producers and processers in Co. Dublin. "I think the service is excellent. We had two students last year and we will have two more this year. Their agricultural backgrounds were very suitable and they had a very good level of English. I would recommend the service, it is well worth considering.''

Jarleth Brett, Monsport Ltd in Swords, Co. Dublin is a tomato grower. "We employed two young Lithuanian men under SHWS and they really had everything you would be looking for in an employee. They were absolutely fantastic. All they wanted to do was work, they were always on time and totally committed to what they were doing.

"Our industry is very reliant on foreign labour. Years ago we could get Irish students for summer work but we have educated our young people and they don't want this type of work. It is dirty and sweaty working in a greenhouse and it is backbreaking work during harvesting, working between 8 to 12 hours a day. The government has to realise that the industry is dependent on foreign labour and must provide special arrangements to ensure the industry has a future.

"I would like to commend Mary O'Hare and the staff in Macra for the excellent work they have done.''

Tony Doyle, John B Dockrell Ltd who have two farms in Dublin and Wexford growing lettuce, cabbage and carrots. "We rely heavily on students for seasonal, short-term work. It is impossible to source seasonal staff locally.

"We employed SWHS students from Ukraine and Lithuania and they were great. They were all enthusiastic, hard working and worked extremely well with our permanent staff. It wasn't just a work arrangement, they were very sociable and made good friends here. In fact we were invited to the wedding of one of the Ukranian students recently.

"I am totally in favour of the scheme. It benefits students, growers and the whole industry. At the end of season the students had projects to complete involving soil conditions and crop management so it was a learning situation for them as well as work.

"I am delighted with the service and am looking forward to taking on more students this year.''