Egypt farmhand deal paves way for laborer influx

Egypt is preparing to send 5,000 farm workers to Greece, which is also in talks with Vietnam, India and possibly the Philippines for arranging the immigration of thousands of laborers to fill shortages in the agricultural, construction and other sectors that are in desperate need of more workers.

According to an official at the Agriculture Ministry, Greece currently has a shortage of 50,000 laborers and needs at least 30,000 to fill essential gaps in that sector alone.

The agreement with Egypt, which has been pending since 2021 and gathered steam over the summer on the orders of the prime minister, is expected to pave the way for similar deals with other countries.

Initial talks with Egypt were for 2,000 laborers, but this number was later raised to 5,000 workers, who will have permits to stay in Greece for nine months, the maximum allowed under European Union rules.