Login
Although Greeks also work as harvest helpers, the majority are migrants. Like Violeta. The 44-year-old Romanian answered a few questions for us.
gebana: Violeta, what are your tasks? What does a normal working day look like for you?
Violeta: I harvest and pack fruit and vegetables. In the winter season I am mainly occupied with harvesting citrus fruits – from 7:30 a.m. until about 4 p.m. On days when there is no harvesting, I work in the factory and am responsible for processing gebana’s fruits – more precisely for sorting and packing them into crates. Sometimes, when there is a lot to do – for example because a truck needs to be loaded and must depart from Greece at a specific time – it can also become late.
Do you have a fixed workplace or does it change depending on the season?
I work for Michalis Dernikos all year round. Michalis is himself an organic farmer and also has an organic packing facility.
Do you work in a team?
Four women and four men work in my team. When harvesting everyone does everything; when packing, the women pack the oranges into the crates, while the men do the more physically demanding tasks: placing oranges from the harvest crates onto the packing line and palletizing the crates.
Are you paid by the hour or per kilo of harvested fruit?
I receive an hourly wage and earn 4 euros net per hour.
How much is that by Greek standards?
For an 8-hour working day that corresponds to a daily wage of 32 euros net. Factory work in Greece is typically paid 22.5 euros net per day, and field workers receive the same amount.
Do you earn more because you take on more responsibility in the packing facility?
I earn the same as other employees, but in addition my housing and electricity bill are paid for me.
How long have you been doing this work?
Why did you come to Greece?
Is your family still in Romania and do you support them financially?
What are the biggest challenges in everyday work?
Which tasks do you like the most?
What do you do in your free time?
What do you wish for the future?
Do you also eat the products you process yourself?
Harvest workers are the weakest link in Europe's agricultural chain; exploitation is unfortunately often the order of the day. We are aware of this and, together with our local partner, ensure that all workers are socially insured and thus receive a regular, transparent wage. In addition, we are actively working to increase their wages.