Investigation reveals exploitation of Moroccan workers in France

A recent investigation by StreetPress has highlighted the alarming exploitation of Moroccan agricultural workers in the Lot-et-Garonne region of southwestern France. This report exposes the harsh realities faced by these workers, who were reportedly charged €14,000 each for seasonal work contracts while enduring deplorable living conditions and receiving wages far below the legal minimum.

The inquiry revealed that Alain Aunac, an elected member of the Rural Coordination agricultural union—known for its far-right affiliations—was allegedly employing numerous Moroccan workers in his apple orchards under dire circumstances. One worker, known as Mohammed or "Java," shared his painful experience after two decades on the farm, expressing a deep desire for an end to his suffering.

Workers were found living in dilapidated housing infested with rodents and mold, often toiling up to ten hours a day, seven days a week, for as little as €4.57 per hour. This is significantly below France’s minimum wage of €11.65. Java recounted a particularly unsettling moment, stating, “Some nights, rats climb onto the light switch and turn on the lights.”

The investigation unveiled a sophisticated trafficking operation wherein Moroccan intermediaries charged exorbitant fees for contracts endorsed by France’s Immigration Office (OFII). Ahmed, a 27-year-old worker who sold inherited land to afford his contract, recounted being misled about the salary and living conditions. He stated that after three and a half months of work, he had received only sporadic payments, including advances as low as €50 and €100.

Sophie, a French worker at the same farm, corroborated the discriminatory pay structure, noting that while she and her Portuguese colleague received minimum wage, the Moroccan workers were paid significantly less for longer hours.

When confronted about the €14,000 fees, Aunac dismissed the concerns, telling workers it was “not his problem” and suggesting they file complaints in Morocco. This indifference is compounded by the fact that Aunac serves on the local agricultural social security board (MSA) while maintaining these exploitative practices.

Two of the workers have filed human trafficking complaints with the Bordeaux prosecutor’s office. Their lawyer, Quentin Debril, stated that his client was lured by false promises of prosperity and was ultimately subjected to exploitation. “They exercise total control over him and reduce him to the condition of an object, with only economic utility,” he remarked.

Despite a labor inspection in 2019 that resulted in only a warning for unpaid overtime, Aunac’s practices have persisted largely due to a lack of oversight, with less than 10% of agricultural operations inspected, according to CNRS geographer Béatrice Mesini.

This investigation threads a narrative of widespread exploitation, revealing how traffickers exploit the aspirations of Moroccans seeking employment in Europe. Recent prosecutions have shed light on the scale of these operations, with multiple cases reported across French agricultural regions.

In Gironde, five individuals faced trial for human trafficking after charging Moroccan workers €10,000 each for contracts. Reports indicated that these workers labored from dawn until late evening under unsanitary conditions. Similarly, in Libourne, three employers faced charges for exploiting 25 Moroccan vineyard workers. These cases are merely a fraction of the systemic abuse occurring across France.