This week, international workers at Meyers Softfruit are moving into a brand-new accommodation facility located directly on the company's soft fruit farm. For company director Wim Meyers, the move represents a significant step forward. "We're not leaving anything to chance," he says. "You need to keep up with the momentum in housing for seasonal workers. It's becoming increasingly difficult to find enough motivated employees. I believe this new housing setup will help us stand out."
Previously, Meyers Softfruit provided accommodation for its seasonal workforce off-site, either in rented homes or modular units. "That served us well as we expanded over the past few years," Meyers explains, "but we've noticed that today's workers expect a little more."
© Meyers Softfruit
A new standard of comfort
Construction of the new facility in Riemst, in Belgium, began in July last year, designed to house up to 32 international workers, typically two per room. While three-person rooms are possible, Wim prefers to avoid that setup. "In our sector, wages are fairly similar between companies, so it's not easy to compete on that front. But working conditions and housing—that's where you can make a real difference."
Meyers Softfruit grows soft fruit primarily in greenhouses, which allows employees to work indoors year-round. "Because we grow on elevated gutters, workers don't have to kneel anymore. That's another way we try to make the job more appealing."
Over the past five years, the company has seen its seasonal workforce come from increasingly distant countries. "Our local workers are reaching retirement age, and finding new local staff is challenging," says Meyers. "The people who apply now often ask to see pictures of their housing before they commit. They ask about air conditioning, whether there's a TV, and if they'll have their own kitchenette. Now, with this new facility, I can send them photos with confidence."
© Meyers Softfruit
Ready just in time for harvest
The move comes just before the peak of the soft fruit season. Harvesting of strawberries began on March 3rd, with blackberries starting next week, followed shortly by red currants grown under glass. "By that point, we'll already be transitioning to the next strawberry crops, and we'll be fully into the busy season."
Originally, the company hoped to have workers move in a bit earlier, but a delayed start to construction pushed the timeline back. "Considering the late start, we actually finished early," says Meyers. "We made up a lot of time during the building process, and we're grateful to all our partners who helped make that possible."
© Meyers Softfruit
A better summer ahead
The Belgian growers expects the benefits of the new housing will be most apparent in summer. "In the old accommodation, it would get uncomfortably hot on sunny days. That's hard when you've also been working in a warm greenhouse. People didn't sleep well, and you could see the effects the next morning."
With air conditioning in every room and significantly more comfort overall, Meyers believes his team will be better rested and more energized. "This will be better for our people, and that ultimately benefits productivity and overall performance."
© Meyers Softfruit
For more information:
Meyers Softfruit
info@meyers-softfruit.be
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