Moroccan Farmworkers in France Allege Labor Exploitation and Inhumane Living Conditions

Arrived in the spring in Malemort-du-Comtat for wine-growing and market gardening work, on fixed-term contracts for five or six months, eighteen Moroccans have been "living in hell" for several months. They have only received a few advances. No salary. Worse, they live in unworthy conditions in a villa still under construction, without water, gas or electricity. In other words, no light, heating, shower, or toilets or electric hotplates to cook. "I suffer a lot. We are cold, we no longer sleep," says Driss, 27, to France Bleu Vaucluse.

All 18 Moroccan agricultural workers can, however, count on volunteers. They provide them with free blankets, warm clothes and food. They also have the opportunity to recharge their phones in an agricultural cooperative located across from their accommodation and to be offered coffee in the morning. "It’s a shame," confides one of these volunteers. The Vaucluse prefecture intends to offer them temporary emergency accommodation, as far as places are available. "The state services will examine a possible action for reimbursement of the sums invested for this accommodation with the employer," it explains.

The case has been brought before the labor inspectorate. An investigation is underway. At a first hearing, the Avignon labor tribunal ordered their employer to pay them. "I’m going to pay them," their employer, Michel Jean, justifies to the same media. "I never intended not to pay them. The pay slips are ready, I’m waiting for the other court decisions." According to the