Companies recognise immigrant labour as vital to their activity
In the southwest of Portugal’s Alentejo region, immigrants are not just a part of the workforce – they are considered the driving force behind the agrifood industry.
A recent survey by the Association of Horticulturists, Fruit Growers, and Flower Growers (AHSA) revealed that over three quarters of agricultural businesses in the southwest Alentejo attribute their success to the contributions of immigrant workers.
Conducted among 40 member companies between October 31 and November 27, 2024, the survey found that 73% of these firms rely on immigrants to fill more than half of their job roles. In 45% of these companies, immigrants make up over 75% of the workforce.
According to the study, “the majority of agricultural companies in the southwest of Alentejo (83%) consider immigrants to be fundamental to the success of the business”.
“The immigrant community is valued by all the companies in the survey” and the majority emphasise “their significant contribution to the sustainability and growth of the sector,” said AHSA.
Nepal leads as the country ‘supplying’ most immigrant workers in agricultural companies on Odemira (southwest Alentejo) and Aljezur (Algarve), with 86% of companies employing Nepalese workers. India (48%) and Thailand (41%) follow closely, along with workers from Bangladesh (17%), Ukraine (14%), Moldova and Pakistan (7% each). A smaller share comes from Bulgaria, Brazil, Vietnam, and even Portugal.
According to the association, these figures reflect “the diversity and contribution of these communities to the agricultural sector” and are forcing the creation of more housing to accommodate immigrant workers.
The lack of suitable housing is a key issue, with 62% of companies citing it as a major barrier to retaining workers. Licensing delays (42%), high rental costs (21%), and limited availability (29%) were also named as major issues.
AHSA also pointed out that “the majority of companies (35%) have already invested at least up to €50,000 in housing facilities for their migrant workers,” with “more than 20% of those surveyed having invested more than €1 million in housing for (their) employees”.
However, “the main deterrent to hiring local labour in agriculture is the general lack of interest in the activity, pointed out by 83% of the respondents, followed by the ageing of the local community (28%) and a lack of qualifications (21%)”.
Unattractive salaries, the lack of competitiveness in terms of conditions compared to other European Union countries, the high seasonality of the activity which results in large peaks in the need for labour and the unwillingness to work legally were also recognised by 3% of those surveyed.
Better migration policies needed
Companies also believe that new migration policies hold promise for labor management but call for improved oversight of recruitment agencies and worker accommodation.
The survey found that 55% of respondents seek better alignment of policies with sector needs, particularly in protecting workers and reducing bureaucracy.
The transition from the Foreigners and Borders Service (SEF) to the Agency for Integration, Migration, and Asylum (AIMA) received mixed feedback: 7% acknowledged progress, 45% saw no change, and 48% cited persistent challenges.
Key recommendations include enhancing recruitment agency oversight (59%), improving worker housing (45%), and increasing access to professional training (34%). Employers also called for better access to healthcare, education, and labour inspections.
While challenges such as language (62%) and cultural barriers (69%) persist, only 10% identified discrimination as a significant issue.
“Immigrant workers are today an essential pillar of agriculture in south-west Alentejo, highlighting the need for public policies that are more in line with the sector’s demands,” said AHSA head Luís Mesquita Dias.
Source: LUSA
