Özet:

The first Covid-19 case was detected on December 1, 2019 in Wuhan, the capital of China's Hubei Region, and it affected the whole world for a short time. Epidemics have negatively affected societies economically and socially in all periods of human history. However, some disadvantaged social groups are more negatively affected by epidemics. In this study, it is aimed to research the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on seasonal agricultural workers working in hazelnut harvesting. The research was carried out between 1 August 2020 and 15 September 2020 in Hendek district of Sakarya Province. Within the scope of the study, a qualitative research method was used and the data were collected by in-depth interview technique through the semi-structured interview form prepared by the researchers. In the research, in-depth interviews were conducted with four agricultural agents, three field owners and nine workers. Poverty has forced seasonal agricultural workers to leave their home towns during the pandemic. However, the measures taken within the scope of the pandemic have taken away other livelihoods of workers and coming to hazelnut harvesting has been the only option. It has been observed that the workers do not comply with social distancing measures both while working and in the shelter areas. Workers live in large groups both in tent areas and in houses allocated to them by the employer. Also the workers staying in the tent area do not have access to adequate and clean water. Travel restrictions imposed during the pandemic have increased the transportation costs of workers and medical screenings for workers in the field are inadequate.

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