AgriWork-Crossborder

"<< Background >>In European agriculture, millions of seasonal and mobile workers travel between their home country and the country of employment every year. In the host countries, their labour is needed to cover the work peaks from planting to harvest. They have little knowledge of labour law and tariffs or regulations regarding social insurance and occupational health and safety in the host country. In most cases, they do not speak the language and labour rights are very often violated. One of the core tasks of the European agricultural trade unions with their umbrella organisation EFFAT (European Federation Food Agriculture and Tourism) is to stand up for the rights of these workers.This is done through outreach information and counselling work by trade union secretaries, counsellors and volunteers (multipliers). Experience and reports, both at national and European level, show that there is a great need for counselling among mobile workers in all sectors and that there is a desire among employees for educational opportunities and information in their native language.<< Objectives >>The strategic partnership of the AgriWork project consisted of three trade unions, a European umbrella organisation and four trade union-related advisory institutions. The partners and associated partners have a wide range of best practices for counselling and training mobile workers. These instruments and tools were presented, discussed and documented transnationally as part of the project. This took place in 4 online seminars on the topics: Digital information and counselling; working conditions; occupational health and safety, as well as discrimination and sexual violence and labour and social law. For further dissemination, the tools were compiled in a handbook for counselling mobile workers (digital and in 6 languages).The aim is to strengthen the individual multipliers and increase the efficiency of their counselling work by participating in the activities and using the new training materials. At the same time, seasonal workers, as an indirect target group, will receive improved counselling through the use of new innovative methods. In particular, the use of digital information and counselling tools will lead to greater digital skills and improved participation of seasonal workers.<< Implementation >>The project was realised with three different activities:In 4 transnational meetings, the overall planning and strategy of the project was presented, discussed and implemented step by step: collection of best practice, development and implementation of online seminars and training courses. Also the review of the respective project status (content; finances), as well as the agreement on further work steps. This was also essential for building and strengthening the network and transferring expertise.In 4 online seminars, 20 best practices from 8 EU countries were presented and discussed with around 180 participants and stakeholders.In two training sessions in Berlin and Warsaw, the methods and strategies already tried and tested by the partners were tested and presented in transnational groups of multipliers and the transfer was intensively discussed.The participants in both the online seminars and the training courses came from countries of origin as well as from countries where mobile workers are employed.This enabled them to expand their range of work, practise other counselling and information options and exchange ideas. The results were included in the counselling handbook.<< Results >>The main product is the ""Handbook for counselling mobile workers"" (digital, 6 languages, open access) with best practice methods and strategies for addressing, informing, counselling and training mobile workers. The publication and differentiated dissemination strategy will make the tried and tested best practices available to many multipliers. By developing the handbook and participating in the webinars or training sessions, the participants have gained practical experience in intercultural counselling and educational work. The result is a significant improvement in their activities and a strengthening of their digital skills. At the same time, the seasonal workers, as an indirect target group, will receive more efficient counselling and improved access to digital information media. They will be better informed and better able to protect themselves and their labour.Another result is the strengthening and expansion (e.g. social insurance institutions) of the European and national networks. This can create more transparency and publicity about labour law violations from the country of posting to the country of employment."