"Solution to labor shortage from Destici: "refugees""

Speaking at the 9th Agriculture, Livestock, and Food Fair held in Hamidiye National Garden as part of the 105th anniversary of the Sivas Congress, Mustafa Destici, the leader of the Great Unity Party, stated that the younger generation is not interested in agriculture and livestock, and that land and animal owners have to seek foreign workers. Making remarkable observations and suggestions, Destici stated, "We have always emphasized the return of irregular migration, refugees, and their return in accordance with humanitarian and Islamic conditions and laws. We even had some proposals when they first came. But if there is a need for a shepherd, if there is a need for manual labor or agricultural labor, just like Germany took us under certain conditions in the 1950s and 1960s, other European countries took us under certain conditions, we should be able to take them under those conditions wherever we need workers."

Emphasizing that he is also a peasant child and engaged in farming, Destici pointed out that in the past, Germany met its labor needs from Turkey and stated that the labor shortage in the country should be met from countries like Afghanistan.

"WE MUST PRODUCE"

Stating that he witnessed the difficulties faced by farmers closely, Destici said, "If you don't produce it yourself, even if you have money, you cannot obtain it from outside. Just like we experienced in the defense industry. We saw it during the Euphrates Shield Operation, they didn't even give us bombs, our planes ran out of ammunition. Therefore, we must produce our own and we are currently doing it," he said.

Pointing out how difficult it is to find vaccines and medicines even with money during the pandemic period, Destici added, "It is at least a necessity to be able to produce enough to meet our own needs." He also emphasized that the third important element is food.

Highlighting that the support given to agriculture and livestock has increased in recent years, Destici stated that these supports should be further increased. Destici said that no special consumption tax should be imposed on the diesel fuel used by farmers and producers, and that the support given to agriculture and livestock should be increased.

"THERE IS A LABOR PROBLEM IN TURKEY"

Stating that farmers and producers need to be supported, Destici concluded his words as follows: "We have a shepherd issue, a labor problem. Those who collect hazelnuts in the Black Sea region are also complaining about the high labor costs. The same goes for those who harvest sugar beets and onions. There used to be no labor cost item because every family would do their own work. They would sow their own fields, harvest them, and harvest their own sugar beets. But it's not like that today, labor costs are at a very high level. A solution must be found for this as well. Regarding the need for shepherds, we have always emphasized the return of irregular migration, refugees, and their return in accordance with humanitarian and Islamic conditions and laws. We even had some proposals when they first came. But if there is a need for a shepherd, if there is a need for manual labor or agricultural labor, just like Germany took us under certain conditions in the 1950s and 1960s, other European countries took us under certain conditions, we should be able to take them under those conditions wherever we need workers. The government is working on this issue, last week our Minister of Interior, Ali Yerlikaya, visited us and this issue was on our agenda. Therefore, our state, our ministries, and our government have work on this issue. Demands will be taken to meet the demand, and then workers or shepherds will be brought from there according to that demand. It will be determined where they will work, they will only be able to work there. They will not go beyond that, all of them will be temporary, there are studies on these matters."