Key facts
- British farms are now heavily dependent on seasonal workers from Central Asian nations.
- This labor source became crucial after Brexit made it harder for EU citizens to work in the UK.
- Without these workers, agricultural operations face significant risks of failure.
- In 2023, over 32,000 seasonal worker visas were issued, with Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan being the primary sources.
- Workers are granted six-month visas and do not gain the right to stay in Britain.
Ten years after the Brexit referendum, British agriculture is increasingly reliant on seasonal workers from Central Asian countries such as Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to fill labor shortages. This shift occurred as EU nationals lost the right to work in the UK following Brexit, and subsequent geopolitical events, like the war in Ukraine, further impacted labor availability from Eastern Europe.
Farmers report that without these workers, many farms would be unable to operate and could face failure. In 2023, over 32,000 six-month seasonal worker visas were issued, with Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan being the top four recruitment countries. These workers, like Shukrat Djuraev from Uzbekistan, find the work steady and are able to earn money to improve their financial situations back home.
Immigration remains a significant political issue in Britain. Promoters of Brexit had promised greater control over borders, and anti-immigration parties, such as Reform U.K. led by Nigel Farage, have gained political traction. Despite this, net migration figures have fluctuated, influenced by various factors including refugees and students, and a perceived mismatch exists between public perception and the labor needs of sectors like agriculture.