Working Conditions in Agricultural Employment: Current Conditions and Ways Forward

Switzerland remains dependent on family farm labour, although non-family employment is increasing, and hiring difficulties are becoming more visible. This study analyses the working conditions of regular farm employees and identifies the factors of longer employment durations.

Although social sustainability and “decent work” are increasingly emphasised in agricultural policy and sector strategies, empirical evidence on employees’ conditions remains limited. This paper addresses this gap by providing an entry point using measurable job-quality dimensions, such as wages, working hours, working times, and employment stability.

Descriptive comparison between employees in the agricultural and hospitality sectors

Using descriptive analysis, this study investigates the working conditions of farm employees, with employees in the hospitality sector as a comparison group. Data from the Swiss Labour Force Survey, which is a representative sample of the Swiss resident population from 2015 to 2020, are used. The study focuses on employees with permanent employment contracts. Different indicators of working conditions are analysed to understand patterns of job quality among agricultural employees. The findings are situated within broader discussions on decent work and social sustainability.

Long working hours, low wages, and structural challenges in the agricultural sector

The results show that working hours in farming are long, and many full-time employees would like to reduce them. Notably, the remuneration in farming is significantly lower than in hospitality and other sectors. There are also differences in terms of age structure, with many farm employees working beyond the statutory retirement age. Lastly, the share of employees with a lower formal education is higher compared to all other sectors (hospitality and others). The findings further indicate that higher income and adhering to agreed working times are linked to longer employment durations (measured in days) in the farming sector.

Policy and sector implications

Agricultural labour policies should prioritise adequate hourly wages and clear compensation rules for weekend, on-call, and peak-season work. Predictable scheduling, such as explicit on-call regulations, minimum rest periods, and support for seasonal planning (e.g. through advisory bodies), could further improve job quality and employment duration in farming. To manage seasonal labour peaks, more services enabling the hiring of temporary workers —such as Maschinenring—should be established. Joint employment models across several farms are also conceivable and may help distribute working hours more evenly throughout the year. In addition, modular training opportunities, including for career change and improved recognition of foreign qualifications, could support skill development and workforce stability.