Dozens of people are interested from all over Greece who rush to receive information or even to join the lists of the Heraklion Labour Centre, for Engagement with the primary sector, during the olive harvest.
The available workforce has increased by a rate that reaches 50% this year compared to previous years, according to the president of the Heraklion Labour Centre Stelios Vorgias, making it clear that in a very large part, Greek unemployed people are looking for work as labour for olive harvesting.
«Every year we put together these lists to help producers looking for labour as well, recognising that this also proves important for people who want to work for this time and may not have a way to get in touch with producers who need help with their farm work.’ Stelios Vorgias told APE-MPE that interest is still strong from areas outside Crete.
«We get calls from all over Greece. We have calls from Messolonghi, Livadia, Loutraki, Salamina, while people who expressed their interest earlier have already moved and are working in the fields.».
Mr Borgias, speaking to RES-MPA, explained that from now on, the unemployed who will do up to 70 days' work in agricultural work, will not lose their allowance. This is stated in the circular (AP 7295 30/11/20) of the OAED, for the implementation of the law. 4691 of 09.06.2020 sent at the end of November. This development as stressed by the president of the Heraklion Labour Centre, in essence, justifies, even belatedly, a long-standing request that had been expressed.
As stated: «The unemployed registered in the registers of the Employment Agency of the Labour Force who have worked up to 70 days per 12 months, can, with their application to the OAED, certify continuous working time minus the above working time and any period of time during which they were not unemployed and the above employment, if carried out in agricultural work, is not a reason for interrupting the payment of unemployment subsidies to the beneficiaries of the same.».
«It is certain that interest will show an increase. If you think about how many seasonally unemployed people in Crete and how many of them, in order not to lose their allowance, did not go even though they needed the work, you will understand how important this will be for them and for the producers who will not have to face the problem of lack of workers. It's important although we think it's been dramatically delayed as a request.» Mr Borgias added.
