Seasonal work is mainly associated with the summer period. Indeed, then most offers appear for pupils or students, both in their local countries and abroad. It turns out, however, that temporary employment can as well be counted on, after the end of the summer season. This is when the autumn season of harvesting begins. Where to go for harvesting and what earnings can we count on? More information later in the article.
For some, September is the back to school month, while for others – returning from seasonal work. However, there exists another group of people, who are just getting ready to go to work. Autumn is another period of seasonal jobs, most often associated with the harvesting.
Compared to the summer season, there are much fewer job offers, as well as willing candidates in autumn (e.g. students are mainly available in the summer). Nevertheless, autumn recruitments are still going on.
Work at harvesting – where to look for?
Let’s start with the fact that autumn offers are not limited only to harvesting work. You can still find offers, among others:
The above-mentioned industries can be classified as year-round work, divided into high and low seasons. But definitely it will be much easier to apply for employment at harvest works.
Why?
Just like with temporary jobs in the summer season, employers want to employ as many people as possible in a short time.The autumn harvesting of fruit or vegetables is usually a short-term job, and most often ends in mid-October (maximum at the beginning of November). In connection with this, work experience or knowledge of foreign languages will not be taken into consideration when recruiting for this type of work.
Most often, we can talk, among others, about work at harvesting:
- mushrooms
- autumn raspberries
- apples and pears
- grapes
- cauliflower (cabbages)
Seasonal work in the Netherlands – what is worth paying attention to?
What does work at harvesting look like?
There is no denying that work at harvesting is first of all hard physical work. Employees are somewhat forced to work 10-12 hours a day (not mentioning the overtime). Due to the lower heat in the autumn season, it is a bit easier to work outdoors.
It is not without a reason that this is a temporary job, i.e. for a short period of 2-3 months. It’s not possible to work at the same pace all the time.
A huge advantage of seasonal jobs (also at harvesting), is a quick cash injection. In addition, with similar jobs, we can count on employment without:
An additional facilitation is the possibility of a group trip (as mentioned above, many people are employed at the same time).
Apart from that, employers most often offer free meals and accommodation when working at harvest (i.e. costs are in advance deducted from the salary). This is a great convenience for employees, because, for example, renting an apartment on your own is related to the knowledge of the local real property market. In addition, at least a minimum knowledge of a foreign language will be necessary.
It is too a burdensome process, especially for a person who for a few months came only to earn extra money.
Seasonal work in Portugal – what does it look like?
Work at harvesting abroad – where to go?
In the EU countries, the most similar applied situation is a piecework pay (except for earnings, which are higher). There is a demand for foreign workers also in the autumn season.
What is the situation abroad?
The greatest demand in Germany is for work related to the harvesting of mushrooms and apples. Depending on the weather conditions, the season for picking cucumbers and tomatoes is extended (or shortened).
Due to the fact that in the Netherlands most vegetables / fruits are grown in greenhouses, even in autumn we can find work at harvesting strawberries or raspberries. On demand are also many hands to work at flower caring.
In France, the most popular work is harvesting grapes and mushrooms.
Apart from that, work offers at harvesting apples or pears will also be available.
In Belgium, there will be offers for the harvest of peppers, tomatoes and mushrooms. Compared to other countries, Belgium is the least attractive in terms of autumn seasonal jobs.
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What earnings can we count on?
Important! We recommend always checking the earnings offered and what they depend on. Employers very often give high amounts, and only in the content of the advertisement they indicate that it is a piecework pay. Moreover, the maximum amount is usually given, for the possible maximum amount of work performed by one person. Unfortunately, not everyone is able to pick / harvest as much as the employer assumes in theory, so in reality the earnings will be slightly lower.
Below given are examples of gross hourly rates for harvesting in various European countries. Please note that the amounts may vary. This depends, among others, on:
- type of payment (per hour or per piecework)
- places of employment
- type of work performed
- whether the employer offers meals / accommodation (most often, charges are in advance deducted from the employee’s salary)
- overtime (check How to Calculate Overtime Pay)
| Country | Average gross hourly rate for harvesting |
| Germany | EUR 12 – 14 |
| The Netherlands | EUR 13 – 18 |
| Belgium | EUR 12 – 16 |
| France | EUR 11.52 – 14 |
How to look for a job abroad at harvesting?
Working at the autumn harvesting is not different from other jobs, that’s why we highly recommend:
- to check the agency / company contact details;
- to check the Tax Identification Number / National Court Register / National Register of Employment Agencies;
- not to work without a signed contract;
- to read the contract carefully before signing it;
- to check – on what the amount of the offered rate depends.
Apart from that, we encourage you to browse the offers on proven portals (e.g. europa.jobs) and on local websites depending on the destination country of your stay.
