Scotland’s farming union is preparing to launch a service to help fruit and vegetable growers recruit UK workers who have lost their jobs due to coronavirus.
NFU Scotland (NFUS) president Andrew McCornick said the agricultural industry was facing a shortage of seasonal migrant labour due to the pandemic.
He said the union hoped to rectify this, and also help UK workers who have recently lost their jobs due to the virus, by launching a matching service for farmers and potential workers.
“These are extremely challenging times for many different sectors and industries but it is important that we all pull together and work towards solutions,” said Mr McCornick.
“Many farmers and growers are going to be badly affected by a lack of foreign workers available due to Covid-19, just when they are needed for planting and harvesting of fruit and vegetable crops.”
He said the farming industry’s shortfall of workers coincided with a number of Scottish and UK workers being laid off indefinitely.
“As a result of these severe labour supply and demand issues there is some scope for those needing a source of income to fill vacancies left by seasonal workers unable to travel from abroad as well as other vacancies on farms,” added Mr McCornick.
“The union will be creating a space on our website aiming to connect people who are looking for work with farms across Scotland which have vacancies to fill.
“In these unprecedented times it is important that we work together to help provide jobs for those needing them while at the same time maintaining the flow of the home-produced, healthy food which Scotland’s farmers, crofters and growers are known for.”
The union said the service would be live on its website as soon as possible.
The website is nfus.org.uk