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MIGRANT & SEASONAL WORKERS
Who are migrant & seasonal workers?
Migrant and seasonal workers are those working away from their country of birth. It is generally accepted that a migrant worker is one who chooses to live permanently in the country where they are working, buying or renting houses, living with their family and sending their children to local schools, whereas seasonal workers (as the name suggests) are working for a set period of time before returning to their homeland.
However, it is not unusual for a seasonal worker to choose to remain in the country where they are working and to change status from seasonal to migrant worker.
The laws governing migrant and seasonal workers are complex and nationals from different countries have to comply with different schemes. For example, nationals from non-EU countries work to a point scheme, while within the EU nationals from different member states have differing rights of work depending on their country of birth.
Why is CSR involved with migrant & seasonal workers?
Because of its large agricultural base many seasonal workers come to Herefordshire each year to work on farms. This increase in numbers on an annual basis has, in the past, led to allegations of racial discrimination and social injustice. The Bishop of Hereford saw that the Church of England had a key role in bringing together all those parties involved in the lives of seasonal workers and by working together find practical solutions to the some of the issues being faced and asked CSR to take on this work.
What does CSR do to improve understanding of these issues?
The CSR has facilitated a number of seminars for the statutory bodies, ie those who provide health care, housing and education for migrant and seasonal workers as well as those involved with policing and health and safety issues. It has also held seminars for the employers of non-UK nationals and for practitioners who work directly with the workers, providing pastoral and spiritual care.
Since the success of the Seminars, CSR has established a Migrant & Seasonal Workers Church network which meets twice a year in the Bishop's Palace. The Network gives those working with migrant and seasonal workers the opportunity to exchange good pastoral practice and also receives updates from the statutory bodies and employers about the numbers and needs of the local migrant communities.
Where can I find out more about the issues?
"In a Strange Land: Supporting Integration of Migrants and Seasonal Workers in the Diocese of Hereford", a Report commissioned by CSR is now available. Whilst the document is now several years old, much of the information contained within is still relevent to issues facing today's migrant and seasonal workers.