The president of the National Agriculture Society, Antonio Walker, urged the government to move forward with a seasonal work visa to ease the entry of migrant workers into the agricultural sector.
The National Migration Service is working on modifications to decree 177 of the Migration Law. These aim to simplify requirements, modernize processes and extend the allowed annual stay period from six to ten months.
Walker said they spoke with director Frank Sauerbaum about these measures. “We want regular, orderly, safe migration,” he stated on the Desde la Redacción program.
The leader explained the shortage of local labor due to rural-to-urban migration and the conditions of outdoor work. He noted that without foreign workers Chile could not export 13.5 billion dollars or more than five million tons of fresh fruit.
President Gabriel Boric responded to the proposal by stating that Chile is not in a position to receive more migration.
