Spanish Strawberry Farms Face Labor Shortage as Morocco Closes Borders

The workforce has decreased following the Moroccan decision to close flights to and from Morocco, said Abdelmoumen Madani, director of the National Agency for the Promotion of Employment and Skills (ANAPEC). According to him, the last group was sent on March 12, and is working under favorable conditions and in full compliance with the health measures initiated by the health organizations to avoid any contamination.

According to the ANAPEC official, the workers are working while being confined in the fields, far from the cities. "The risk of contamination is therefore low. The spaces between the cultivation lines exceed 2 meters. Also, their rooms accommodate a maximum of six people. There is therefore no overcrowding. They live in a protected environment," he reassured.

For Abdelmoumen Madani, his structure will continue to monitor the situation (in Morocco and abroad, editor’s note). "If things get back to normal before the end of the 2020 season, the other workers will follow," he promised.

In a press release, he invited the workers who were unable to take their flight to stay confined at home and to avoid traveling to the ANAPEC agencies, except to submit visa applications or to obtain information. "The Agency will keep you informed of all the news concerning your files by telephone," he added.