On Thursday 26 June, the European Federation of Food, Agriculture and Tourism Trade Unions (EFFAT) presented its vision for a more social Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
Despite their essential role in the European food system, agricultural workers remain among the most vulnerable in the European Union, according to EFFAT.
The organisation estimates that, of the 10 million people working in agriculture in the EU, 32% are undeclared, with no access to social protection or labour rights. The sector records around 500 fatal accidents and 150,000 non-fatal accidents every year. In addition, countless workers, particularly migrant and seasonal workers, face exploitation and exclusion.
EFFAT’s main demands for the post-2027 CAP are as follows:
- strengthen social conditionality, with a broader scope of application and binding inspection targets;
- guarantee a solid CAP budget that rewards Member States advancing social goals;
- broaden the criteria for allocating direct payments by including the employment dimension (declared working hours, social security contributions, job stability). (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)