Fruit and veg ‘will run out’ unless Britain charters planes to fly in farm workers from Europe

[fillyboy]

There's no motivation when you're being paid not to work

Nonsense.

Ellal summed it up quite well a week or so back when he referred to mental health issues. I spend all year moaning that I never have time off, when I do unexpectedly have time off, a few days or a week, I fall into a bit of a depression, there are things to be done at home but when the 'black dog' wanders along, licks you on the face and sits down next to you, all motivation disappears.
The lockdown to me has been a god send in that I've been able to get hold of sufficient materials to embark on a few big projects at home, things we've wanted to do for a few years. I've really enjoyed not having customers 'snapping at my feet' when can I do this?, when can I do that?. I'm just plodding along doing some improvements. The last few days have been a downer as the weather has turned against me but hopefully a few good days are due now.
I really do think now that I don't want to go back to work, 64 yrs old, arthritis, dodgy ticker, but even the minor (major to some people possibly) works that I'm doing at home, the feeling when you stand back at the end of the day and say to yourself; '*** me fillyboy you've done a nice job there', how do you replace that? maybe I'm not built for retirement.

 

[Notch7]

There's no motivation when you're being paid not to work; that is the salient detail. In fact it's the only detail Comrade Notch. Up the revolution!

the majority of people want to work.

there are plenty of industrial regions in this country which have been left behind -due to decades of neoliberal right wing ideology.

you actively support a right wing ideology that takes away decent jobs, then you moan people arent working.

if you want people to work and to have decent jobs, create a fairer society where the poor have more opportunity, better education. Then make sure the poor areas of this country have investment.......guess what they are the policies of the Left. Andy11 is a secret socialist -he wants everybody to have a decent job.

 

[JP_]

from the Telegraph:
"Efforts to recruit British fruit and veg pickers have been dealt a blow as it emerged only 112 people out of 50,000 applications have taken up roles."

It seems we do need immigrants after all.

Every time people have tried this in the past, the same things happened. Farmers have tried it here, the US government tried it in the 1950s, same result every time - people find the work too hard, too painful, too tiring, and don't do it. We used to call it back breaking work for good reason.

 

[Notch7]

I really do think now that I don't want to go back to work, 64 yrs old, arthritis, dodgy ticker, but even the minor (major to some people possibly) works that I'm doing at home, the feeling when you stand back at the end of the day and say to yourself; 'fuk me fillyboy you've done a nice job there', how do you replace that? maybe I'm not built for retirement.

if you are ok for money, maybe consider cutting down a bit. Build in some breaks between jobs or only work Mon to Thurs, then you have a 3 day weekend.

You sound like one of those people that go at 100% when you are working and struggle to slow down. I used to employ a time served bench joiner - he built our conservatory and orangery roofs and the more complex sliding sash windows, bays etc. Even though he was 64 he worked flat out from 8.00 to 5.00pm -I used to try and get him to slow down, because he was knackered by the end of each day -but he wouldnt or couldnt.

 

[crystal ball]

I worked with a joiner builder a few times, he was in his sixties with a dodgy ticker, he carried a trailer load of plasterboard onto a job on his own, he then went a funny colour and had to lie down gasping for breath, I was on the verge of calling an ambulance when he leapt up and started boarding, "happens all the time" he said

 

[Bodd]

Every time people have tried this in the past, the same things happened. Farmers have tried it here, the US government tried it in the 1950s, same result every time - people find the work too hard, too painful, too tiring, and don't do it. We used to call it back breaking work for good reason.

Why is it Australia have managed it?

 

[Bodd]

if you are ok for money, maybe consider cutting down a bit. Build in some breaks between jobs or only work Mon to Thurs, then you have a 3 day weekend.

You sound like one of those people that go at 100% when you are working and struggle to slow down. I used to employ a time served bench joiner - he built our conservatory and orangery roofs and the more complex sliding sash windows, bays etc. Even though he was 64 he worked flat out from 8.00 to 5.00pm -I used to try and get him to slow down, because he was knackered by the end of each day -but he wouldnt or couldnt.

Is he still alive?

 

[crystal ball]

Why is it Australia have managed it?

Managed what?

 

[Bodd]

Getting British and Australians to fruit pick!

 

[JP_]

Why is it Australia have managed it?

No idea! Maybe they are more rugged and tougher than the average Brit and American.

 

[crystal ball]

Getting British and Australians to fruit pick!

No other nationalities involved then

 

[Bodd]

No idea! Maybe they are more rugged and tougher than the average Brit and American.

Like anything dangle a carrot and they'll do it.

I mentioned before also about the grey nomads following the fruit season.

 

[Bodd]

No other nationalities involved then

Of course there is... You know there is.. Including Americans
Mainly
Canadians
Irish
Kiwis.
Anyone with a work visa

 

[JP_]

Why is it Australia have managed it?

https://www.agriculture.gov.au/abar...rce#who-are-australias-agricultural-employees

Looks like most agriculture is done by Australians, many labourers have lived in the farm regions for more than 5 years, suggesting they use much fewer migrant workers than other countries. No doubt workforce is reduced, but not as badly impacted as in other countries. Plus, Australia produces 3 times more food than the country needs, whereas we only produce half of what we need. So they can work at 33% capacity and still feed the country, although farm profits will be hit heavily of course..

 

[Bodd]

https://www.agriculture.gov.au/abar...rce#who-are-australias-agricultural-employees

Looks like most agriculture is done by Australians, many labourers have lived in the farm regions for more than 5 years, suggesting they use much fewer migrant workers than other countries. No doubt workforce is reduced, but not as badly impacted as in other countries. Plus, Australia produces 3 times more food than the country needs, whereas we only produce half of what we need. So they can work at 33% capacity and still feed the country, although farm profits will be hit heavily of course..

They still get Brits to do the work...

Work visas are extended if the visa holders does a certain amount of time Woking on a farm. Other industry's may be included.