Gipuzkoa workers will be able to reduce their working hours to dedicate themselves professionally to the first sector

The Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa has launched the ‘Baserritar Misto Profesionala’ initiative, which encourages permanent employees of companies to request a 50% reduction in working hours to make this activity compatible with a professional dedication to their agricultural or livestock business in the hamlet. .

At a press conference in the capital Gipuzkoa, the General Deputy of Gipuzkoa, Eider Mendoza, and the Deputy of Green Territorial Balance of the Territory, Xabier Arruti, reported on this “groundbreaking” initiative in Europe.

Mendoza has indicated that ‘Baserritar Misto Profesionala’ is looking for “guarantee generational change of the first sector and support people who are interested in developing a professional activity in the first sector to move from the company to this field in a sustainable way combining both tasks during this process”.

As explained, this initiative proposes access to a 50% reduction in working hours, so that the interested party can professionally combine this activity with farm work, “in such a way that income comes from both activities.”

“We are facing a society that, over time, has disconnected itself from our rural environment, from the activity of our hamlets, which has led to a lack of generational change,” explains Eider Mendoza, who pointed out that currently, “78% of farms are managed by people over 50 years old.”

Furthermore, he stressed that the agricultural and livestock activities of the area “protect the green territorial balance of Gipuzkoa”, adding that the baserritarras “are key actors in caring for our environment, in the fight against climate change and in guaranteeing sustainability and quality local food”.

The Deputy General has expressed confidence that “if we are able to expand and strengthen the figure of the professional mixed baserritarra, we will make a qualitative leap with regard to the sustainability of the sector.”