n By Hajera Blagg


Young people need to understand that doctors and solicitors and tech people aren’t the only important jobs. Food workers are vital because we are feeding the world.”


Istvan, who, like Iulian, works in the meat industry, also believes that pay and working conditions need to improve to attract more young people into the FDA sector.


Istvan pointed to countries like Denmark, where, for example, the meat sector attracts many young workers because there is a clear career pathway and jobs are well-paid.


‘‘


“There, workers do a three-year apprenticeship, which leads to a degree-level diploma and at the end of it, you’re earning between £25 and £40 an hour.” Istvan said.


We need to show just how important workers and their skills are. You can live without electricity; you can live without internet; you can live without many, many things. But you cannot live without food


Iulian Firea, Unite convenor, 2 Sisters, West Midlands


Iulian explained, “It’s still a very dangerous sector to work in. We have far too many accidents and fatalities.


“And these dangers are exacerbated by the increasingly isolated nature of the work. In so much agricultural work today, it’s not teams of people working together. It’s one or two people and dangerous machinery. How many young people want to work in these conditions, alone in a field? Not many.”


Iulian believes that improving conditions will go a long way toward recruiting more young people in the sector. But beyond this, there needs to be a wholesale reimagining of the importance of food workers.


He adds, “Unions and employers need to go into schools and universities to, shall we say, ‘plant those seeds’ early.


While he would welcome a similar system in the UK, he also cautions against what he sees as an undercurrent of racism and xenophobia in the Danish system.


“I’ve met workers in the sector who say they want to protect their jobs against foreigners, for example.


“They’ve complained that Eastern Europeans are taking their jobs and doing it for less money. It’s a great idea to raise standards and wages in any industry, but we should give everyone the opportunity to take up these apprenticeships. The system needs to be inclusive.”


Istvan also highlights the urgent need for unions like Unite to recruit more young people in the sector. He believes young people need to have a reason for joining the union – it’s not a given as in years past.


“In our factory, we’ve been successful in recruiting young people because we spend time with them – our induction alone is two hours long. You’ve got to be open to trying new things. If one recruiting strategy doesn’t work, try something else, again and again, until you find an approach that works.”


NEED HELP AT WORK?


If anyone needs support as a young Unite member at work, contact Unite national officer for young members, Frazer Lake at UniteYoungMembers@unitetheunion.org


33 uniteLANDWORKER Summer 2026 ‘‘


In our factory, we’ve been successful in recruiting young people because we spend time with them. If one recruiting strategy doesn’t work, try something else until you find an approach that works


Istvan Imre, Unite rep, 2 Sisters, Wales


Istvan recounted how he’d approached local businesses near his factory, like restaurants and cafes, and negotiated discounts for union members from the factory. While it may ultimately be a small benefit, Istvan reports that young people in particular respond to these tangible benefits of union membership.


Istvan added that it’s not only young people that need the union and need the opportunities the sector can give them. It works both ways – the food sector and unions will benefit enormously from what young people can bring to the table.


“Young people today just care more.” he said. “We care about the environment, about racism, about a just transition. We bring a new perspective.”


Iulian said that EFFAT’s youth committee has recognised the problem of the lack of young people in food and agriculture and is now developing a strategy to ensure this trend is reversed.


The stakes, Iulian says, have never been higher. “We need a revolution in the food sector. We need to show just how important workers and their skills are. You can live without electricity; you can live without internet; you can live without many, many things. But you cannot live without food.”


Alamy


‘‘ ‘‘


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52