A citrus picker in Valencia

A citrus picker in Valencia

Spanish trades unions FITAT and UGT-PV have called an indefinite strike among citrus pickers in the Valencia region.

Unions are concerned that workers could be paid up to 40 per cent too little for their work as bosses contract workers through temporary labour organisations (ETTs).

Unions are calling for a two-year, three per cent increase in the daily rate of pay backdated to 1 September 2010.

By using ETTs growers are able to pay lower rates and fire workers immediately.

The unions are also calling on the Valencia regional executive to take a position and help formalise the employment regime for what is very important sector in the regional economy.