France is recruiting Uzbek citizens for seasonal agricultural work as part of a new labor mobility initiative aimed at expanding employment opportunities abroad.

Uzbekistan’s Migration Agency has announced the start of applications for seasonal farm jobs in France, where workers will be employed in fruit and vegetable harvesting, The Caspian Post reports via Xorijda Ish.

The recruitment drive is being conducted by the National Federation of Agricultural Workers' Unions (FNSEA), which is seeking workers for farms in the Rhône department in southern France and Maine-et-Loire in western France.

Selected candidates will earn a monthly salary of €1,650. Fruit harvesting is scheduled to begin on August 17, while vegetable harvesting will start on October 1.

Applicants must be between 25 and 45 years old, have no criminal record, be in good health, possess conversational French language skills, and have at least three years of experience in agriculture.

Initially, only ten vacancies are available. Candidates can apply through the Xorijda Ish platform until June 20, after which representatives of FNSEA will conduct online interviews and selections.

Successful applicants will be required to cover certain upfront costs, including the €99 visa fee, visa center services, airfare, accommodation and transportation expenses estimated at €275 per month, as well as food costs.

However, Uzbekistan’s Migration Agency said part of the visa and travel expenses will be reimbursed after employment begins.

The recruitment program follows an agreement reached in April between the Migration Agency and FNSEA to launch a pilot project that could eventually bring up to 50 Uzbek workers to France’s agricultural sector with support from the recruitment firm Sélect Recruiting Service.

The initiative is part of Uzbekistan’s broader effort to expand labor and training opportunities in Europe. Earlier this year, the country also reached an agreement with CFA AC Paris to develop “study-and-work” programs for the restaurant industry and held talks with regional business and employment organizations in France to deepen cooperation in workforce development.