Senegalese workers replace Georgians in tea gardens due to pandemic restrictions

When workers from Georgia could not come to Turkey as they usually do to collect tea because borders were sealed in line with measures to halt the spread of COVID-19, Senegalese, Afghan and Uzbek nationals already in Turkey filled the void to pick tea in the Black Sea province of Rize.

Even Rize's locals had difficulties returning to their hometown, as provincial borders in the country were shuttered too. Around 40,000 foreign workers expected to arrive in the city, but were barred from entering via Turkish border gates.

But nearly 20,000 people, most of them originally from Rize and who live in Istanbul, travelled to Rize to harvest tea leaves in the gardens in the beginning of June.

As families harvest their own tea with their own facilities in order to avoid loss of products, people from all ages and professions in the region also supported the harvest.

Senegalese, Afghan and Uzbek nationals living in the country and who have work permits replaced Georgian workers who would normally travel one hour, crossing Turkey's northeastern border, to harvest tea in the region. But COVID-19 has prevented these seasonal workers from coming in.

Migrant workers are praised by their Turkish colleagues who say they are hardworking and agricultural land owners also have said they want to work with foreign workers.

From Senegal to Rize

The most popular employees of the vast tea gardens in Rize are three Senegalese workers.

A garden owner from Göndoğdu village of the province is accompanied by his three teammates from Senegal.

Halim Sultan Dal, who owns a tea garden, met Senegalese national Gibral Gaye, Musa Sisi and Muhammet Drami from Senegal during his time in Istanbul.

"They told...