Switzerland‘s Unseen Workforce: The Role of Seasonal Agricultural Workers

A critical yet often overlooked segment of Switzerland’s agricultural sector is its seasonal workforce. despite their vital role in planting, harvesting, and processing crops, comprehensive data regarding their working conditions and compensation remains scarce, leaving many in potentially precarious situations.

The Unseen Labor Force

The conditions under which seasonal workers operate in Switzerland are largely undocumented. Neither the federal government nor relevant associations possess precise figures on their earnings or daily working hours. Agriculture stands alone as the onyl industry excluded from the federal wage statistics, a consequence of its exemption from the Labor Act. Consequently, the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) has no direct oversight of working conditions in this sector.

Did You Know? Switzerland’s agricultural sector contributes approximately 0.7% to the nation’s GDP, yet its reliance on seasonal labor is disproportionately high.

Reliance on European Workers

Matija Nuic, Director of the Association of Swiss Vegetable Producers, emphasizes the sector’s dependence on European labor. “We are dependent on European workers,” Nuic stated. “Ultimately, these tasks are performed by individuals who come to Switzerland, as there is a diminishing willingness among the Swiss population to undertake this type of work.” Predominantly, these workers hail from Poland, Romania, and Portugal.In 2024, the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) registered approximately 28,000 individuals working in agriculture for periods less than a year, with a higher concentration during the summer months.

Data Discrepancies and Lack of Oversight

The Federal Office of Agriculture acknowledges its lack of comprehensive data on the agricultural workforce, deferring to the Federal Statistics Office. However,the latter’s data inadequately captures the seasonal employee segment. This discrepancy is evident when comparing figures from the two federal offices.While the Federal Office of Statistics reports approximately 19,000 foreigners employed in agriculture, this figure is substantially lower than the SEM’s registration numbers for seasonal workers. The Federal Office of Statistics gathers its agricultural data in January, a period when seasonal workers are largely absent from Switzerland. Further inquiries directed to the farmers’ association and the Association of Swiss Vegetable Producers yielded limited information.

Pro Tip: Support organizations that advocate for fair labor practices and worker rights in the agricultural sector.

Precarious Working Conditions

The absence of reliable data hinders the ability to assess and address potential issues in working conditions. sandra Contzen, an agricultural sociologist at the Bern University of Applied Sciences, notes, “Based on various media reports and NGO findings, we suspect that working conditions for seasonal workers are precarious. However, we lack concrete data.” Contzen underscores the absence of a strong advocacy group for these workers in Switzerland,coupled with limited financial resources within Swiss agriculture to support seasonal harvest helpers.

Without comprehensive surveys on the working circumstances of harvest workers, advocating for change remains challenging.

Key Metrics: Seasonal Workers in Swiss Agriculture