Nigeria remains ineligible for the United Kingdom’s (UK) seasonal worker visa scheme, even as the program has been extended for another five years to support the country’s agricultural sector.
When the scheme was first introduced, most seasonal workers came from Ukraine and Russia. However, the workforce has since become more diverse, with a growing number of laborers from Central Asian countries like Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan.
Eligibility for the program is limited to countries that provide a significant seasonal labor force in key sectors. This restriction is aimed at managing the number of foreign workers entering the UK while ensuring that industries dependent on seasonal labor continue to benefit.
UK Extends Seasonal Worker Visa
The UK government recently announced the extension of the seasonal worker visa, allowing farmers and food producers to hire foreign labor on short-term contracts.
Under this scheme, workers are permitted to take on roles such as crop harvesting in the edible and ornamental horticulture sectors. However, their stay is restricted to a maximum of six months per year.
The decision to extend the program follows recommendations from the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), which highlighted ongoing labor shortages in the UK’s agricultural sector. The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) also advocated for the extension, stressing that it is essential for maintaining food production.
UK Environment Secretary Steve Reed reiterated the government’s commitment to the sector, announcing a £110 million investment in farming technology to enhance efficiency. “My focus is on ensuring farming becomes more profitable because that’s how we make businesses viable for the future. And that’s how we ensure the long-term food security this country needs,” he stated.
Brexit’s Impact on Seasonal Labor
Before Brexit, the UK’s farming industry relied heavily on seasonal workers from Europe who would travel for short-term employment during peak harvest seasons before returning home. However, the end of free movement following Brexit created labor shortages, leading to the introduction of a temporary seasonal worker visa.
Initially set to expire in 2021, the scheme was later extended for three years after lobbying from the NFU. By the end of 2024, the UK government confirmed that the program would continue in 2025.
The NFU had previously warned that labor shortages were causing significant economic losses, estimating that £60 million worth of food was wasted in the first half of 2022 due to a lack of workers.
Restrictions and Future Plans
The seasonal worker visa remains subject to an annual quota of 45,000 to 55,000 workers. Applicants who qualify can stay in the UK for six months but are not eligible for public funds and cannot bring family members.
To reduce reliance on foreign labor, the UK government is investing in robotic fruit and vegetable pickers, aiming to phase out the scheme gradually. However, this technology is still in development and not yet suitable for large-scale use on many farms.
To qualify for a UK seasonal worker visa, applicants must secure a job offer from an employer registered under a Home Office-approved scheme, be at least 18 years old, and obtain a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). Additionally, they must prove financial self-sufficiency by demonstrating they have at least £1,270 in savings upon arrival.
Despite the extension, concerns remain over potential exploitation. Kate Roberts, head of policy at FLEX, criticized the scheme’s structure, stating that seasonal workers have “no realistic way to challenge poor working conditions, wage theft, or sexual harassment in the workplace.”
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