The labour crisis on fruit and vegetable farms was highlighted this month in the national press.
Growers have warned that if the pilot horticulture work permit scheme is not expanded then the labour crisis could become a major crisis.
The pilot horticulture work permit scheme opened in May 2018 to allow workers from non-European Economic Area countries to work in Ireland if employers can show they cannot source workers in Ireland of EEA countries. One company that has used the scheme is Codd Family Mushrooms.
In total they employ 240 people but have used the scheme to hire 60 workers from Thailand. Under the scheme growers must pay €22,000 per annum for a 39 hour week. They also must organise accommodation and language classes.
Hazel Codd said the scheme had temporarily eased the skills shortage on her farm but the problem had not gone away.
“We have a lot of challenges in the mushroom sector so anything that can help us get staff is welcome.”
