New EMN study “Attracting and protecting the rights of seasonal workers in the EU and the United Kingdom”

The study provides an overview of third-country nationals entering and residing in a Member State of the European Union for the purpose of seasonal work under the Seasonal Workers Directive

The study found that seasonal workers mainly consist of young adults, who are mainly employed in agriculture, tourism and manufacturing. They mostly originate from the neighbouring regions of the Member States receiving them, with Ukraine being the most frequent country of origin.

Seasonal workers can be crucial in filling labour market shortages which is why several countries have measures to attract them. In 19 of the countries under review, the entry and stay of seasonal workers is part of the overall migration policy.

With the adoption of the Seasonal Workers Directive, the implementation of admission policies for this category of workers and the protection of their rights has received increasing attention. By 2019, all Member States bound by the directive had incorporated it into their national laws. The number of workers admitted under the directive ranged from around 300 in Latvia to more than 46 000 in Poland in 2019. The analysis shows that in several Member States, in line with possibilities granted by the directive, the access of seasonal workers to equal treatment is restricted, in particular, regarding unemployment benefits and family benefits.

The study also briefly outlines the immediate consequences of the COVID-19 outbreak for seasonal workers, and measures taken to by Member States to mitigate its effects.
 
To download the study please click here.
To download the Inform on the study please click here.
To download the Flash (one page) of the study please click here.
 
In addition, the EMN NCP Croatia has prepared a comparative overview of Croatian policies in connection to other Member States policies regarding attracting and protecting seasonal workers, which you can download here.

Page