French Authorities Expand Probe into Dismantled Moroccan Farm Worker Network

The Border Police (PAF) of Haute-Garonne and the Interministerial Research Group (GIR) of Toulouse have succeeded in dismantling a network of Moroccan seasonal agricultural workers, based in Montauban. This, after the opening of a judicial investigation, in particular for assistance with irregular stay, undeclared work and employment of foreigners without a permit in an organized gang, forgery and use of forgeries as well as aggravated money laundering. The investigation lasted eight months.

In total, about ten people were taken into custody. Five people were indicted, including one placed in pre-trial detention, who are French of Moroccan origin and Moroccans established in Montauban. The suspects are known to the justice system for having been convicted in similar cases, reports La Dépêche. The dismantling of the network does not put an end to the investigation. The investigations continue to shed full light on this highly organized channel," the Montauban prosecutor’s office stressed.

The fruit growers in Tarn-et-Garonne, who employ about a thousand Moroccan seasonal agricultural workers, express their disappointment. "We can only regret this fraud. It is unacceptable. For two years, we have been fighting to fill the shortage of seasonal labor in the department, we have been complaining about the lack of employees in agriculture, and now some are taking advantage of the situation to make it an illegal business. We will again remind agricultural employers that they must be very careful before hiring seasonal workers. Employees must be declared to the MSA and collective agricultural agreements must be respected," assures Yvon Sarraute, head of employment and arboriculture at the Tarn-et-Garonne Chamber of Agriculture.

"This case is causing us very serious damage. It must not cast a shadow over an entire profession. Thanks to the support of all our institutional partners, we created a seasonal workers’ house last year to fill the labor shortage. We must continue in this direction. This trafficking of seasonal workers is serious today, but we must be careful not to generalize it," added Jean-Paul Rivière, president of the Chamber of Agriculture.