Why?
While the virus is having a halting effect on our lives, it has none on the seasons. Spring has reached the Northern hemisphere marking the beginning of a busy season in agriculture – a period where hiring in large numbers is an absolute necessity.
The share of immigrant labour among both skilled and seasonal workforce in this sector is a well-know secret in most parts of the world. Many workers left during the outbreak of the crises, but most were just getting ready to come. Except that now, borders are closed, and ironically, national food security now falls on the shoulders of locals – those who have never had any interest and lack skills to take on this line of work.
At the same time, unemployment is on the rise in many other sectors, figures on payslips are diminishing and workers are forced to accept unpaid vacations for the unseen future. How to bridge these problems? How to get locals with reduced working hours to contribute to this season’s harvest and our local food supply?
What we are looking into
This is not only an issue that could be solved solely with a job-exchange platform. The agricultural sector is in need of workforce in different, sometimes remote regions. We need to think of related concerns – the travel restrictions, risk of contagion, food safety, etc. To make it happen, we also need strong communication tools and effective behavioural incentives (nudges) to boost the attractiveness of the sector that has during the economic prosperity been viewed as the turf for either minors or immigrants.
Directions that we are going to explore:
1) “Labour exchange” logic and supporting platform. How to hire effectively, raising the likelihood of finding suitable workforce that is informed and prepared for what waits ahead?
2) How to nudge people to take up a job in agriculture?
3) How to make the work processes COVID-19 safe?
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