Agricultural Background of Afghan Immigrants and Employment Opportunities in the Agricultural Sector in Turkey

Abstract

Migrant workers, who make up 5% of the world's population and are estimated to be more than 323 million people, are employed in various sectors in different countries of the world. Agriculture is the sector with a high level of informality, which is the main working area of ​​immigrants. Migrant employment has an important share in agricultural activities, which are carried out intensively especially in summer due to seasonality. In this context, in addition to revealing the socio-demographic and economic characteristics of the population engaged in agriculture in the rural areas of Afghan immigrants, the agricultural background of the individuals in question and their employment opportunities in the agricultural sector in Turkey are evaluated. A total of 384 Afghan immigrants (95% male and 5% female) were conducted and filled the questionnaires. Results showed that the entry of Afghans and other migrants into seasonal agricultural work has had a significant impact on Turkey's agricultural labor markets. This article discusses the way Afghan immigrants participate in the labor market and their relations with the host society in Turkey. Throughout the article, employment opportunities in the agricultural sector in Turkey are evaluated based on the agricultural background of Afghan immigrants. In the first part of the research findings, it provides information about the land holdings and agricultural experiences of Afghan immigrants in Afghanistan. In the second part, labor experience in Turkey and employment opportunities in the agricultural sector are explained and the article concludes with a general evaluation.