Facing a pressing labour shortage that threatens to hamper its economic revival, Greece has turned to its Mediterranean neighbour, Egypt, for a solution. The two countries have forged a groundbreaking agreement that will see thousands of Egyptian workers arrive in Greece this summer to take on temporary farming jobs, providing much-needed relief to the agricultural sector.
The transnational labour deal, ratified by the Greek Parliament in November 2023, initially covers 5,000 seasonal farm workers from Egypt. However, the scope of this mutually beneficial cooperation extends far beyond the agricultural domain, with discussions underway to potentially expand the scheme to the Greek construction and tourism industries.
Greek Deputy Foreign Minister Miltiadis Varvitsiotis, who signed the agreement, emphasized its significance in meeting the growing labour demands of the agricultural sector while simultaneously curbing irregular immigration. The Greek Migration Ministry further highlighted the economic benefits of this partnership, stating that the agreement aligns with the country’s forecasted growth rate of nearly 3% this year, far outpacing the euro zone average of 0.8%.
The labour shortage plaguing Greece is a multifaceted challenge, exacerbated by an exodus of workers during the nation’s economic crisis, a shrinking population, and strict migration rules. These factors have left various sectors, including farming, tourism, construction, and others, grappling with tens of thousands of vacant positions.
According to reports from the Greek newspaper Kathimerini, during a recent visit by Greek Migration Minister Dimitris Kairidis to Egypt, the Egyptian government provided an initial list of 2,400 nationals who will be among the first to arrive in Greece for work. Under the current agreement, these workers will be employed in the agricultural sector until the end of the year, with a new nine-month residence permit linked to their employment.
To streamline the process, a dedicated online platform has been established, providing a database of migrant workers and their respective skills, allowing potential employers to select the workers they need. The Greek Consulate will then handle the necessary administrative procedures.
Beyond addressing labour shortages, the cooperation between Greece and Egypt extends to tackling shared challenges, such as human trafficking and irregular migration flows from the central Mediterranean corridor. Kairidis stressed the need for closer collaboration to jointly prevent these illicit activities and intensify the return of rejected Egyptian asylum seekers to their country of origin.
Egyptian officials, recognizing their country’s pivotal role in the European Union’s migration policy, have emphasized the efforts made to largely stop migrants from setting off from Egypt’s northern coast across the Mediterranean to Europe since 2016. This commitment was further reinforced in March when the EU announced a strategic partnership with Egypt, along with a 7.4 billion euro deal to stem migrant flows to Europe from North Africa.
As Greece navigates its economic recovery and Egypt grapples with its own challenges, including a rapidly growing population and limited foreign investment, this labour cooperation agreement represents a win-win scenario for both nations. It not only addresses immediate workforce needs but also paves the way for deeper economic and diplomatic ties, underscoring the power of regional collaboration in fostering sustainable growth and addressing shared challenges.