For those who want to work in Belgium or another European country, it would be a good idea to take up seasonal work as a mushroom picker between June and September.
For this work, you do not have to speak French and you can earn enough money in a few months to stay in the country and keep looking for jobs.
The main mushroom picking areas in Belgium are the Ardennes, the Gaume region in the south of Belgium and Bavikhove in the north, both located on the border with France.
In Bavikhove you will find Lesage Champignons,a company specializing in mushrooms, usually seeking seasonal workers for the harvest season.
The working hours are between 45 and 50 hours per week and the wage is about 10 € gross per hour, from which you have to deduct 20-25% taxes, so you can earn about 1,500 € per month.
The company provides accommodation (in shared rooms) for about 8 €/day (about 240 €/month), which includes everything (internet, electricity, water, etc.). The houses are located about 2 km from the workplace, so it is possible to reach the workplace on foot, by bike or by a minibus provided by the company.
In Belgium, French or Flemish is spoken (depending on the region), but for this type of work, knowing a little English is enough to communicate.
You must be in possession of an EU passport.
Also, sometimes a previous experience of at least 3 months in a mushroom farm is required.
There are many other mushroom farms in Belgium (over 100), most of them are small and medium sized and family owned, needing workers every year for the harvest season.
Other mushroom farms in other countries are:
- Monaghan, has farms in many countries: Ireland, Great Britain, Germany, Holland and Canada. You can submit your application through their website
- Christiaens Groups, based in the Netherlands
- Fresh Mushroom Europe, based in Belgium
- If you want to work in a really innovative mushroom company, your choice can only be Permafungi, who has developed a technique that uses coffee grounds for cultivation
One last piece of advice: to request information or send applications, resumes and letters of motivation must be written in English if they are to be considered.
