Each year, as the strawberry season comes to a close in Huelva, numerous seasonal Moroccan workers embark on their journey back to their homeland. This week, the Tarifa port, one of the most significant departure points to Morocco, witnessed extensive queues and long waiting times for these women eager to return home after months of labor in the fields, where they played a crucial role in harvesting strawberries and other types of berries.
However, the journey back to Morocco is not always straightforward for these seasonal workers employed in Spanish agriculture. The passage through Tarifa has turned into a true test of patience for many, characterized by prolonged waiting periods, high demand for tickets, and some cancellations triggered by yellow weather warnings in the Strait of Gibraltar, which have impacted maritime traffic.
Disarray and Long Waits as Seasonal Workers Return
At the port, groups of women were seen alongside their bags and belongings, waiting for ferries to Tangier. Despite the short distance between Spain and Morocco, crossing the strait is influenced by various factors, including sea conditions, ship capacity, and the schedules of shipping companies. The area near the entrance of the ferry terminal in Tarifa, where tickets are sold, resembled a temporary camp for approximately 200 women who are hoping to find a way to board a ferry back to their homes in Morocco.
A Short Journey Turned Into a Struggle
Although the actual distance between the two countries is merely a few kilometers, the crossing can be quite complex. Maritime traffic in the Strait of Gibraltar has been affected by multiple yellow weather warnings due to strong easterly winds. Gusts reaching speeds of 80 km/h (Force 7) led to the cancellation of numerous trips on Monday, and on the following Tuesday, two scheduled “Fast Morocco” ferries on the Tarifa-Tangier route at 2:00 PM and 6:00 PM were also canceled. Nevertheless, the Moroccan consulate and shipping companies have pledged to work with the affected seasonal workers to find solutions that will enable them all to return home safely.
As reported by espanaenarabe.com.
