Increasing restrictions on immigration Growing concerns about labor shortages in the agricultural sector in various countries 5:07 on March 20
With the spread of the new coronavirus infection and the spread of countries restricting entry, the United States and Australia are increasingly concerned about labor shortages in the agricultural field, which has relied on foreigners for harvesting vegetables and fruits. .
In the United States, foreign labor is indispensable for harvesting vegetables and fruits, and according to the United States Department of Labor, approximately 250,000 foreigners have been issued visas in the past year, allowing them to work in agriculture for a short period of time. Was.
However, the State Department has decided to suspend visa issuance in most countries to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus, and the U.S. embassy in Mexico, which has sent many workers, has been visa-free from the 18th. Has been suspended in principle.
In response to this situation, thirteen U.S. agricultural groups submitted a joint request to Secretary of State Pompeio, stating that `` Issuing visas to agricultural workers is an important issue and urgently calling the U.S. embassy in each country. Please instruct us to handle it. "
Meanwhile, Australia has announced that it will ban all Australian citizens, residents and their families from the 20th. Since farmers rely on workers from the Pacific island nations and foreigners who are staying on working holidays, vegetable farming organizations have issued a statement and issued a visa for foreigners who have already entered the country. Appealed that they would be able to extend the validity of.
Regarding foreigners engaged in agriculture, there is no prospect of about 1,000 foreign technical intern trainees coming to Japan in Japan, and concerns about labor shortages are increasing.