Spain Turns to Honduras for Farm Labor as Morocco Crisis Threatens Harvest

20,000 Moroccan seasonal workers are expected to go to Spain to work in the agricultural fields. But the diplomatic conflict between the two countries will certainly deprive these workers of this annual trip that allows them to offer their services in the fields. In a statement, the president of Asaja, Pedro Barato, indicated that the main Spanish agricultural associations are pleased with the agreement reached between Honduras and Spain, particularly because of the facilities implied by the sharing of similar customs and the same language. He assured that it was an "important and positive" agreement, of which they are "satisfied" because they have "no other recourse".

The Commission on Labor Flows, which brings together the main trade unions and agricultural associations, has been demanding this agreement for a year to facilitate hiring at the source with Honduras. But the diplomatic conflict with Morocco "has accelerated" the process. Asaja insists that work must continue to "conclude agreements with other Maghreb, American and Asian countries". Pedro Barato also asks that the countries of origin be "co-responsible" for the costs, "which cannot fall solely on employers".

Although labor will come from Honduras, Asaja thinks that the conflict with Morocco "will have consequences" on the Spanish campaign, at least until the farmers can reorganize. He also denounced the fact that "in Spain, there is no shortage of labor. What is lacking is the willingness to work" and deplores "that with three and a half million unemployed, there are people who prefer a subsidy or aid rather than working in the field".