Harvest help and labor exchange: Veneto looks to the Trentino model

“In our rural communities, the exchange of labor among farmers and the assistance provided by relatives and extended family members are widespread practices, especially during the grape harvest and other harvesting periods. We want those who act in good faith to be able to continue doing so with greater certainty, without fearing that a genuine form of collaboration could be mistaken for undeclared work. The experience of Trentino shows that there is a way to provide clarity”. These are the words of the Veneto Region Councillor for Agriculture Dario Bond, who, referring to the model adopted by the Autonomous Province of Trento, is appealing to the Chambers of Commerce, particularly those of Treviso and Belluno, to consider launching the collection and registration of local customs concerning labor exchange among agricultural entrepreneurs through a coordinated process and shared criteria. The Trentino model, recently reported by WineNews, reached a turning point with the entry into force of the official recognition of the “Ganzega” and solidarity-based agricultural work.
The “Ganzega” refers to the spontaneous, occasional, and unpaid assistance provided by family members, friends, and neighbors for agricultural activities such as grape harvesting and apple picking. Traditionally, this help is accompanied by a convivial gathering as a form of “reward,” which represents the only recognition given for the assistance provided. This is an interesting development which, especially for small family-run farms, may help ease the challenge of finding additional help during harvest operations while at the same time preserving a long-standing tradition. The other innovation, known as emergency assistance, concerns reciprocal cooperation among agricultural entrepreneurs in particular situations of need, such as illness or injury.
The Veneto Region is now looking at this approach with considerable interest, to the extent that a request has been made for the rapid approval of amendments to the register of local customs. “We are aware that documenting and registering local customs takes time, but it is important to begin. Providing farmers with greater certainty means reducing areas of ambiguity and protecting those who operate correctly. The Region is ready to make its technical and institutional support available - concludes the Veneto Region Councillor for Agriculture Dario Bond - the objective is clear: less bureaucracy, fewer risks of disputes for those who help one another through genuine forms of cooperation, and greater certainty for agricultural businesses, always in full compliance with workplace safety regulations. The Trentino model points the way forward; now we are asking the Chambers of Commerce in Veneto to assess its application within our territories”.