Seasonal Hazelnut Workers' Daily Wage Set at 1,750 TL

With the 2026 hazelnut harvest approaching in about a month, a significant protocol was signed regarding seasonal worker wages in the Black Sea Region of Turkey. This regulation was implemented in Akçakoca district of Duzce and the Karadeniz Ereğli and Alaplı districts of Zonguldak. The decision was reached through consultations involving local agricultural chambers, village headmen associations, and agricultural intermediaries. As part of this framework, the daily wage for seasonal hazelnut workers was fixed at 1,650 Turkish Lira. It was also specified that an additional daily travel allowance of 100 TL would be paid to the workers, clarifying the total payment amount. Consequently, the total gross daily wage for workers, including travel expenses, has been set at 1,750 TL.

The protocol includes additional payments for special roles beyond the basic daily wage. A person serving as the foreman of a team of at least twelve people and working on-site will receive double the daily wage. Additionally, it was decided that an employee working as a cook within the team would be paid one full daily wage. This application aims to ensure a fairer distribution of labor and compensate for special roles. The protocol strengthens coordination between agricultural intermediaries and producers, highlighting social justice during the harvest season. All these details were recorded in writing through the official protocol to provide legal security.

Onur Şahin, former president of the Ordu Chamber of Agriculture, emphasized that this model applied in Western Black Sea should be extended to Eastern Black Sea. Şahin stated that determining the wages of workers coming from outside is critically important one month before the hazelnut harvest. He expressed that prices should be determined by agreements between Chambers of Agriculture, Village Headmen Associations, and agricultural intermediaries. He described this approach as a protective mechanism for both producers and workers. Şahin drew attention to the need for recorded wages to ensure transparency in the process.

Advocating for a more active role by the Ordu Provincial Directorate, Şahin recalled that the directorate establishes committees for accommodation and needs fulfillment of incoming workers. He called on the directorate to take charge of organizing the determination of collection wages for these workers. Emphasizing the vital importance of such official protocols to prevent opportunism, he stressed their necessity. He stated that this regulation should be implemented to prevent producers from suffering losses and to protect the rights of workers. Şahin expressed that a healthier harvest season could be experienced if the directorate takes responsibility and manages the process.

These developments show an increase in steps taken to protect labor force in Turkey's important agricultural product, hazelnut. Standardizing wages despite regional differences can contribute to stability in the sector. The involvement of institutional structures to reduce tension between workers and producers is viewed positively. Reducing the insecurity of seasonal workers will generate long-term benefits. It is expected that similar protocols will become widespread in all hazelnut production regions in future years.