Spanish authorities have announced the extension of the Moroccan seasonal workers’ stay in the strawberry fields after the border closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which made it difficult for them to return to their home country.
Spanish media reported that the authorities decided to extend the stay of Moroccan seasonal workers, until September 30th.
In light of this official extension of the residence of Moroccan workers, the Spanish Red Cross and migrant societies demanded that employers in the strawberry fields need to maintain their housing, health care service, and must provide these workers with their basic needs.
It important to mention that among more than 7.000 Moroccan workers in the Spanish strawberry fields, only 7 workers were deported to Morocco, especially in light of the worsening humanitarian situation of thousands of those who lost their jobs among them.
Since June 10th, 3.000 Moroccan seasonal workers have been stuck in Spain without work, as their journey back to their country was stalled, while the rest of them are awaiting the expiration of their contracts within the next few days, despite the intervention of the Agricultural Producers Association in Huelpa province, to alleviate their unemployment while awaiting the border to reopen.
However, this intervention has only created 65 new job opportunities for them.
#Morocco #Spain #SeasonalWorkers #Agriculture #Unemployment #Stuck #COVID19
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