To cope with seasonal peaks, some Swiss farmers switch to international workers used and housed in depressing conditions. Frequently invisible staff, even though some have been active in Switzerland for numerous many years.
They are the invisible but important backlink of Swiss agriculture: international employees who come – often from afar – to operate in the fields and orchards during the higher season. And the reality of their doing work disorders is from time to time stunning.
“There are bosses who spend 12 francs an hour, many others 13, 14 or 15”, testifies anonymously a person of them, who came from Guinea-Bissau to do the job in Valais, in the A Bon Listener program of the RTS. “There are a lot of clothes that pay out fewer than 14 francs an hour”.
“No enthusiasm”
A lot of of these staff declare to make 2,500 francs a month by doing the job fifty hours a 7 days. “In some cases they have to perform 14 several hours straight, then they can locate themselves without having operate on a rainy day”, and as a result without the need of a wage, explains Manuel Leite, a previous trade unionist performing with this especially precarious inhabitants.
“In general, our performing situations in Switzerland are considerably much better than what we experience listed here,” defends Jimmy Mariéthoz, director of the Fruit-Union Switzerland.
The Swiss Farmers’ Union endorses a month to month wage of 3,320 francs for this category of personnel. Jimmy Mariéthoz believes that “performing situations are comparatively great, particularly in conditions of wages, as opposed to what they would gain for the similar career in their state”.
And to incorporate: “There is no justification for individuals who simply cannot pay out these least wages”.
Overpriced accommodation
If the incomes of these personnel are really minimal, housing is normally highly-priced. In Gilly, over Rolle (VD), Aurélien Rolaz describes that he rented a bed in a space that has 4, with a shared kitchen area, for 330 francs a thirty day period. “I have the impact that they are effectively accommodated with us”, feedback the winemaker.
In simple fact, in many circumstances, the conditions are significantly less very good. “I pay back 400 francs for a mattress in a place I share with one more,” claims a single of these modern-day seasonal employees energetic in Valais.
“Housing is also precarious,” commented their defender Manuel Leite. “Virtually anyone pays the value of the area, ie the operator receives 3 or 4 situations a lot more lease than he ought to collect”.
He emphasized the substantial distribution
When asked about the testimonies gathered in Valais, State Councilor Christophe Darbellay emphasizes in certain the accountability of massive merchants. In accordance to him, it would place way too substantially pressure on producer selling prices. “It is very clear that this can only query us as human beings, in particular as customers”, responses the head of the Section of Economic climate.
“There is a potent exposure to international opposition at minimal costs, and then there is also the point that significant distributors just take practically 2/3 of the margin in their pockets in fruit and veggies. screen, it is nevertheless incredibly properly compensated, “he claims.
Gabriel Tejedor, Linda Bourget
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