Agricultural interns and trainees
According to the Association of Farmers' Organizations (VBO), around 65 agricultural interns were employed on around 30 Liechtenstein farms in the reporting year as part of an agricultural vocational training programme. The interns mainly come from Brazil or Ukraine and usually stay in Liechtenstein for one to a maximum of two years. They are placed by the VBO on behalf of the country. The aim of the agricultural vocational training program is to provide training and further education for third-country nationals in the agricultural sector on a farm in Liechtenstein, so that they are enabled or supported to pursue such an activity in their home country or country of origin. The framework conditions are set out in detail in regulations.
However, the Labor Act does not apply to these employment and training relationships. The 1997 standard employment contract (NAV) for agricultural interns provides for weekly working hours of up to 60 hours, with the option of increasing this by a further 12 hours if necessary. However, this regulation has been criticized as it exceeds the upper limit of 48 hours set by EU Directive 2003/88/EC and is therefore not in line with European working time regulations. The minimum wages in the NAV have also not been adjusted since 2006, which raises concerns about the appropriateness of the remuneration. Interns should not be used as low-cost labor without sufficient training.
In order to meet these challenges, the VBO introduced various measures in the reporting year. In close cooperation with the responsible ministry and the APA, the regulations on the granting of permits to foreign interns as part of the agricultural vocational training program are currently being revised. At the same time, an advisory expert commission on vocational training (vocational training program) is to be convened, which will have the task of advising the VBO board on training and development as well as reviewing and ensuring the quality of the vocational training program. In addition, an independent ombudsman's office is to be set up to which interns and internship companies can turn in the event of any legal questions or conflicts. A mediation procedure is to be set up for this purpose. The regulations are to be published after completion in fall 2025.
The VBO is planning to develop a training structure for internships in 2025. In addition, all processes, contracts, company audits and company agreements are to be revised in order to ensure that the professional development program can be properly fulfilled by all parties as a training and further education offer in accordance with the mandate. Overall, the planned changes should ensure greater clarity, control and quality in training.
In the area of working conditions, however, the current framework is being maintained: the VBO does not consider a working time model of less than 55 hours per week to be realistic in the agricultural sector and the minimum wage directive is also not currently in focus. The Liechtenstein Employees' Association sees a need for action here - it is calling for a collective labor agreement.
