Seasonal and migrant workers

 There are different definitions of a migrant worker; we adopt that of "an individual who arrives in the host country either with a job to go to or with the intention of finding one1", sometimes also referred to as 'an economic migrant'. In Herefordshire this includes people from European countries such as Portugal and the newer accession states (for example Poland and Bulgaria). It also includes workers from countries further afield such as Southern Africa and the Philippines. Migrant workers are generally people who intend to stay in the UK for the medium to long term (at least a year), whereas seasonal workers are those who come to work on farms over the growing season and then return home.

Key points

  • Current evidence suggests the majority of Herefordshire’s migrant workers are seasonal workers and other short-term migrants intending to stay in the UK for under a year.  The definition of ‘usual residence’ means they are not counted as part of the resident population, but nonetheless have an impact on services e.g. health services (migrant workers would need to change their country of residence for at least a year before being counted as a usual resident).
  • There is no single estimate of the number of migrant workers in Herefordshire at any time.  Administrative data shows a dramatic increase in numbers coming to the county: For instance, despite being 20% lower in the last two years (about 2,600 in 2009/10 and 2010/11) than the peak of 3,300 in 2008/09, annual National Insurance Number registrations from overseas nationals in Herefordshire are still almost ten times higher than in 2002/03 (compared to national registrations now being less than twice what they were in 2002/03), but as there is no requirement to de-register it is impossible to know how many have stayed.
  • During 2011, a total of 5,000 individual seasonal workers from overseas were expected to be employed on farms in Herefordshire.  Numbers expected at any one time peaked at 3,100 in May.  The total number of individuals expected was 10% higher than in 2010, although still notably lower than the 6,700 expected in 2008.
  • The majority of migrant workers coming to Herefordshire in 2010/11 (as nationally) were from Bulgaria, followed by other new European Union states such as (in no particular order) Poland, Lithuania, Slovakia, Latvia, Hungary and Romania.

Seasonal and migrant workers in Herefordshire

There is no single estimate of the number of seasonal and migrant workers in Herefordshire. The Research Team has in the past produced reports collating all the available information on seasonal and migrant workers in the county. The most recent was done in 2008, and can be downloaded from the box below below.

In addition, we conduct a survey to find out numbers of workers from overseas expected on farms in Herefordshire each year. The 2011 survey was sent out to farms early this year, and the full report of the findings of the survey can be downloaded from the box below. 

The Herefordshire 100 project was established to capture seasonal and migrant workers' views about life in Herefordshire. Full details and the results of surveys can be found in the residents' views section.

Other organisations have undertaken research into migrant and seasonal workers in Herefordshire; follow the links to their websites:

Other sources

The following are links to some other useful sources of information about numbers of migrant and seasonal workers in the UK generally:

We are not responsible for the content or reliability of the linked websites. References or listings should not be taken as endorsement by Herefordshire Council of any kind. We cannot guarantee that these links will work all of the time and we have no control over the availability of linked pages.

1 Bell K, Jarman N & Lefebvre T; Migrant Workers in Northern Ireland; Institute for Conflict Research; June 2004.


Local reports

 

Last updated: 16 December 2011