The Government has announced
that dole claimants can continue to draw unemployment benefit and work on the
land.
The State of Alarm could not have come at a worse time for the fruit and vegetable
farmers who normally depend on foreign labour. The limitations on movement and
the closure of national frontiers has left them 75,000 to 80,000 workers short.
In order to ensure the continued supply of fresh produce the Government has
announced measures aimed to fill some of the deficit.
Unemployed workers will be able to work in agricultural projects and farms and
continue to claim dole as can agricultural workers receiving subsidies or income.
Temporary workers with suspended contracts can also work for the farmers as can
migrants with permits which expired during the period from the beginning of the
State of Alarm until June 30. This does not include workers covered by ERTS.
These workplaces must be in or near the workers’ towns of residence.
Some 20,000 workers are required just for the month of May to pick fruit and
vegetables and thin out fruit trees.
Jobs in the sector will be advertised in local and regional offices.
