The Irish government is about to launch a nationwide recruitment campaign for seasonal work in the horticultural sector. She hopes to get enough response from the tens of thousands of Irish who are currently out of work as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The campaign comes after a fuss has arisen over the fact that Keelings has brought seasonal workers from Bulgaria to Ireland to pick fruit.
The government campaign comes just in time for the peak of the fruit season from mid-May to mid-June and the vegetable harvest to start in mid-June. A government spokesman is aware of the fact that 190 people were brought to Ireland from abroad last week to pick fruit.
“Since the onset of the Covid-19 state of emergency, the number of people travelling to Ireland has decreased by more than 95%. The Irish border, including airports, remains open to allow for the supply of essential cargo and manpower and for repatriation of our citizens. Seasonal workers are crucial for the agricultural sector. “
“The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries works closely with the Ministry of Employment and Social Affairs to ensure that employers are aware of the support they can receive from hiring workers from their own country.”
The irishexaminer.com reports that anyone coming from abroad to Ireland must adhere to the guidelines of the Ministry of Health and isolate themselves for 14 days.