Fatal Bus Crash in Spain Highlights Plight of Moroccan Seasonal Farm Workers

The victim, 35 years old and mother of three children, was participating for the first time in a strawberry campaign in Huelva. As part of the Gecco program of the Spanish Ministry of Migration, 15,000 Moroccan seasonal workers, including 5,000 new ones, are expected this year in Spain for this campaign. The seasonal workers are declared to the Spanish social security system during their contract, which means that Surexport, the company for which the victim worked, will fully cover the repatriation of her body to Morocco, reports El Plural. The company says it will maintain the wages and accommodation of the injured and cover their medical expenses.

This work accident that affected seasonal workers on May 1, Labor Day, revives the debate on their difficult and precarious working conditions in Huelva. The Mazagón Multicultural Association in Huelva has been denouncing for years violations of the rights of these seasonal workers, in terms of remuneration, housing or days and hours worked. "The Gecco Order is necessary, but on the ground, we see significant abuses by companies," explains Pepa Suárez, head of this association. "The fundamental rights of seasonal workers have been repeatedly violated," also denounces Mila Garayald of the APDHA.

These Moroccan seasonal workers, from rural areas and aged 20 to 45, are mostly married women with minors in their care. They are also illiterate and only speak Darija. According to 2016 data from the Mazagón association, only one third of seasonal workers had a paid job in Morocco and earned an average salary of 107 euros/month. An amount multiplied by ten when they participate in strawberry campaigns. But these women live in shantytowns and are not entitled to decent housing, criticizes Garayald, who deplores the lack of public housing for these thousands of seasonal workers who arrive each year in the city.