Migration, Labor, and Tea Harvesting in Turkey: Sub-Saharan Africans amid Post-Pandemic Transitions
Fieldwork conducted in 2020, 2021, and follow-up research in 2024 explores how economic challenges and stricter enforcement against undocumented migrants, particularly in Istanbul, led many Sub-Saharan Africans to seek agricultural employment. Observations and interviews with migrants, garden owners, intermediaries, and local authorities reveal that labor dynamics established during the pandemic persisted.
A rotational labor system emerged, with Sub-Saharan African migrants increasingly filling labor shortages traditionally met by Georgian workers. Pandemic-related border restrictions sharply reduced the influx of Georgian laborers, creating opportunities for Sub-Saharan African migrants. Tea harvesting became a more stable income source compared to precarious informal jobs in Istanbul. For many, this shift represented a strategic alternative despite poor working conditions and low wage. Employment was often secured through social networks and intermediaries. Solidarity networks helped migrants navigate challenges and ensure economic survival.
In the post-pandemic period, rising inflation and labor migration agreements between Georgia and EU countries decreased Georgian workers' interest in Turkey’s agricultural sector. Meanwhile, evolving migration policies and stricter enforcement against undocumented migrants in Istanbul further pushed Sub-Saharan Africans toward agricultural work. Since 2020, these migrants have gained significant experience, with seasonal agricultural work offering more stability. They have emerged as key players in Turkey's tea-harvesting labor market.
This research analyzes how Sub-Saharan African migrants adapted to and reshaped Turkey's agricultural labor landscape, emphasizing their role in tea harvesting while linking broader trends to Turkey’s migration policies.