August 3 2006, 15:32

Labor cost fluctuates within $4-10/day in produce sector of Crimea

Vegetable and fruit production is one of the most labor-consuming branches of agriculture; it requires a great number of workers. The situation is deteriorated by its seasonal character of this industry. However, vegetable production and orcharding are mechanized to some extent, but it is impossible to fully avoid manual labor. And, many farmers are not able to purchase expensive equipment to replace manual labor.

Seasonal workers are mainly invited to farms only for special occasions: planting transplants, harvesting, etc. "It is not feasible to hire full-time employees to work on farm. If so, farmer is obliged to pay set salary irrespective of season, and also to pay taxes. If there are seasonal jobs, farmers can avoid tax payments", Alexander Lekhno says, the Market Information Specialist of Crimean office, Agricultural Marketing Project.

Labor payments in harvesting season fluctuate within $4-10/day in Crimea. Such a broad price diversification is created by the farm location and availability of human resources. For example, Saki rayon farmers pay their workers $10/day; and, some farmers provide workers with food and transport them back home. Labor cost is significantly lower in Dzhankoy rayon, $4-5/day. But, working day is shorter there. People work only morning hours (from 6 to 12 a.m.), so workers have free second half of day.

During active harvesting of sweet cherry producers paid $0.2/kg for each kilo of harvested fruits. Seasonal workers can really earn $9-12/day.

In the whole, it is worth mentioning that an average level of seasonal salaries does not differ much in season 2005 and this season, as A. Lekhno says.