If you are facing financial difficulties or cannot find a decent pay job in your home country, you can try your luck abroad. European countries are experiencing a labor shortage and willingly invite foreigners to work. Working in agriculture in Finland might be a suitable option.
The specifics of the agricultural sector in Finland
Finland is located in a geographic latitude with a cold climate, which is not conducive to the cultivation of traditional crops. Nevertheless, agriculture in the country is well developed.
Wheat and sugar beets are grown in the warmest southwestern part of the country, rye, barley, oats, potatoes, and peas are grown in the central part. Apples, cucumbers and onions are grown in the Åland Islands, tomatoes and other vegetables are grown in Österbotten's greenhouses. Finland is also famous for its berry plantations: strawberries, raspberries, black currants, blueberries and cloudberries are successfully grown in the country.
The most important branch of agriculture in Finland is animal husbandry. The country breeds dairy cows, pigs, broiler chickens and reindeer. Finland not only produces milk, dairy products, eggs and meat for its own consumption, but also exports them. Meat products, which are represented by unusual delicacies, for example, smoked reindeer, are in great demand.
About 60% of the country's territory is covered by forests, therefore, agriculture in Finland is closely related to forestry. Processing and export of timber occupies a significant place in the state economy and brings good income to farms.
Another industry closely related to food production is the fishing industry.
The main agricultural producers in Finland are private farmers. Currently, there are about 50 thousand farms in the country.
Most types of work on Finnish farms have a high level of automation and computerization.
It should be noted that the country fully meets its own food needs and sells agricultural products abroad. Finland specializes in the production of eco-friendly natural products that are highly valued in the European market.
The state provides significant support to Finnish agricultural producers. The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Finland provides loans for the purchase of equipment and subsidies in case of crop failure, organizes training programs for farmers.
In 2014-2015, due to the ban on the import of Finnish products to Russia, the farmers of this country suffered losses of millions of euros. However, they have now increased supplies to Europe and stabilized the situation.
Jobs for foreigners in agriculture
There are seasonal vacancies and permanent jobs for foreign nationals in Finnish agriculture.
In the spring and summer, Finns hire workers from abroad to pick berries. The strawberry picking season lasts about a month, but if the employee has proven himself well, then he is usually offered to stay to pick raspberries, currants and blueberries. This is the most popular temporary job for Russians and citizens of other post-Soviet countries.
Foreigners are often invited to work in greenhouses. Employee responsibilities include harvesting, sorting, packing and packaging products. Employees are hired for a period of about 6 months, couples are welcome. For a longer time, they can hire an employee who knows how to take care of plants: grow and plant seedlings, apply fertilizers, and vaccinate.
There are also various farm vacancies for livestock specialists.
Farmers willingly hire villagers from abroad to take care of pigs and cows (feeding, manure removal, animal cleaning, milking).
In addition, many horses are kept in Finland, so there are quite attractive offers for grooms and busters. For such work, employees are hired for a long period - up to a year or more.
The Finns invite strong men without bad habits for felling and pruning forests (smoking is strictly prohibited at logging sites). Work begins in April and continues until the first frost. A seasonal contract for 6-8 months is concluded with employees.
For work in fish factories (cleaning, processing, packing fish) foreigners are hired for 3 months.
What you need to get a job
For work in agriculture in Finland, workers are invited between the ages of 18 and 55. Experience in harvesting, sorting and packing finished products is not required, but is encouraged. If the responsibilities are related to caring for farm animals, preference is given to applicants with an appropriate education (specialized or veterinary).
Knowledge of English at a household level will greatly facilitate contact with the employer.
Find jobs in Finland at eurabota.com, www.russian.fi and others. If you have never worked in this country, it is more convenient to organize a trip with the participation of intermediaries.
To travel, you will need a passport and a work visa. To find out how to apply for a visa to Finland, you should go to the official website of the Finnish embassy or consulate in your country.
Remember that having a work contract will help you protect your rights in the event of a dispute with your employer. Illegal employment is not recommended.
How much is paid to work in Finland
Finland has an hourly wage system. The minimum rate for citizens of the country is 10 euros per hour.
For seasonal workers who arrived from abroad, the pay for an hour of work is lower, nevertheless, residents of post-Soviet countries receive much more here than in a similar job at home.
The size of the rate is influenced by the specialization of the farm and the living conditions. Farmers usually provide housing for workers free of charge or for a fee, which depends on the comfort of the dwelling. For living in a summer house without amenities, they take 2-4 euros per day, more comfortable housing will cost several times more. Meals can be provided by the employer or employees can eat at their own expense (250-300 euros per month).
Piecework wages for picking strawberries and other berries are about 1 euro per 1 kilogram of products. In this case, the working day can last up to 11 hours. For a month, beginner assemblers have the opportunity to earn 700-800 euros, more experienced ones - 1500-1700 euros. Work on the plantation (caring for the beds, weeding) is paid hourly at a rate of 7-8 euros per hour.
For work in greenhouses (caring for plants, auxiliary technical work, collection of finished products), in warehouses of vegetable farms (sorting vegetables, packing, packaging, sticking), you can get up to 2,700 euros per month. The work schedule is 8-10 hours a day with one day off per week.
Knowledge of Finnish and English is not required for foreigners who work in the field of crop production - communication with the employer is provided by a Russian-speaking intermediary-foreman.
Work on a livestock farm is paid at a rate of 7-8.5 euros per hour (subject to free accommodation and meals - 5 euros per hour). If the working day is irregular, then the payment is charged on a daily basis (30-40 euros per day).
Grooms are paid 1000-1200 euros per month, busters - 1500-1800 euros per month. If the employee is qualified, diligent and has a specialized education in the field of animal husbandry (animal husbandry, veterinary medicine), he can be hired for permanent work for a long time and pay in accordance with Finnish law - 10 euros per hour.
To work in livestock farms, knowledge of Finnish or English is required at the household level. Communication with the owner of the farm takes place without intermediaries, so the employee must correctly understand all his orders.
Work in the country's forestry is paid at a rate of 12 euros per hour. In the first month, employees undergo training and receive about 1000 euros, then their salary is 2000-2500 euros per month, depending on labor productivity. Accommodation and clothing are provided free of charge, meals are at their own expense, one day off per week. Basic knowledge of Finnish or English is desirable.
In the fishery, the salary depends on the type of work:
- at a fish factory (cleaning, cutting fish) rates start at 5.5 euros per hour;
- in production with a full industrial cycle (cutting, cutting, packing, freezing fish), you can get up to 3100 euros per month;
- fishing on a trawler is paid in the amount of 12-14.5 euros, shifts of 8 hours, you can earn about 2700 euros per month.
Finally
Foreigners can get a seasonal or permanent job in Finnish farms without a high level of education and knowledge of foreign languages. The salary for hard physical work can reach 3,000 euros per month with minimal costs for housing and food.
The number of vacancies is limited, so if you want to find a job in Finland for the 2021 season, you should start looking for it well in advance.
