Supporting the Global Workforce Behind UK Farming: Highlights from the Seasonal Workers Conference 2025
At MWW, our global partnerships go far beyond the supply chain—they’re about people. Which is one of the reasons MWW team members Louise Swindale, Stephanie Collister, and Michelle Pumphrey attended the Seasonal Workers Conference 2025 in Ledbury, Herefordshire. The event offered attendees practical insights into how the fresh produce industry can better support seasonal workers—who play a vital role in British agriculture.
Hosted as part of the Grower Roadshow initiative, the event brought together a broad mix of growers, labour providers, policymakers, IGOs, and ethical trade organisations. The conference also focused on creating a deeper understanding of the cultural, social and religious norms of the workers as well as how to improve communication and promote better welfare for overseas workers.
Understanding the People Behind the Produce
Laura Shack from the International Organization for Migration, (the leading UN agency for Migration), presented one of the standout sessions of the event. Her talk on immigration processes covered the full immigration journey—from how to ensure seasonal workers are aware of their rights through to their responsibilities and entitlements while working in the UK.
She also offered an incredibly engaging exploration of Central Asian culture, which is where many of our seasonal agricultural workers originate. Her session explored topics, such as:
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History and language
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Diet and religion
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Social norms and communication styles
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Conflict resolution
This kind of cultural understanding is essential for MWW as it helps us to foster an even more respectful, inclusive, and supportive workplace for everyone who works for us, whether that be in our head office, one of our packing plants or out in the fields.
Hearing from Labour Providers First-Hand
One of the most eye-opening parts of the day for the team was the live Q&A session with labour providers from Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. They shared how they prepare workers before they leave for the UK — including visa education, setting expectations, and offering advice for adapting to life abroad.
Insights from Industry & Policy
There was also important input from DEFRA, whose survey underscored the critical role seasonal workers play in the UK’s food system. There were also additional sessions from Pro-Force, Fruitful Jobs, and HOPS who shared expertise around:
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Visa and compliance processes
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Worker welfare and integration
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Ethical recruitment and grievance procedures
A Shared Responsibility
At MWW, we came away from the conference with a renewed sense of purpose and an even deeper appreciation for the seasonal workers who make the Seasonal Worker Scheme work. The scheme, which originally launched as a pilot, has now been extended until at least 2029. In this year alone, the UK will see 45,000 workers arrive from around the world to support our food chain.
These workers contribute directly to planting, picking, and packing the fresh produce found on shelves across the UK. Their efforts are essential to the success of the fresh produce industry and are a testament to international cooperation.
We remain committed to ensuring that all seasonal workers are treated with dignity, fairness, and respect—and playing our part in building a stronger, more collaborative future for British farming.
From the fields of Kent to the orchards of Europe, our seasonal workers are at the heart of our operation. Strengthening these relationships isn’t just good business—it’s our responsibility.
We’re proud to be part of shaping a more connected, more compassionate fresh produce industry.
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