Exploitation of seasonal workers highlighted in champagne trafficking trial

Conditions faced by grape-pickers in France's renowned champagne industry are central to a human trafficking trial that has commenced in Reims. Three individuals—a woman from Kyrgyzstan, a man from Georgia, and a French national—face accusations of exploiting over 50 seasonal workers, primarily undocumented migrants from West Africa.

During the September 2023 harvest, these workers were discovered living in deplorable conditions at a property in Nesle-le-Repons, located southwest of Reims. They had been recruited through a WhatsApp message aimed at the West African Soninke community in Paris, promising lucrative employment in the region.

The group, consisting of 48 men and nine women aged between 16 and 65, hailed from Mali, Mauritania, Ivory Coast, and Senegal. Many of them are present at the trial. One worker, Kanouitié Djakariayou, described the harsh treatment they endured, stating, "They shouted at us in Russian and crammed us into this broken-down house, with mattresses on the floor." He lamented the lack of clean water and inadequate food, emphasizing the inhumane conditions they faced.

Another worker, Doumbia Mamadou, recounted the trauma of their experience, noting the absence of psychological support, which left them feeling powerless due to their undocumented status.

Labor inspectors, alerted by a local resident a week after the discovery, found severe breaches of safety, health, and dignity at the location. Prosecutor Annick Browne reported that living conditions were exposed to the elements, sanitation facilities were unsatisfactory, and the electrical setup posed a safety risk.

The prosecution outlined that these migrants worked ten-hour shifts with only a half-hour break for lunch, often transported in the back of trucks, and received inadequate compensation without written contracts. "The accused had a total disregard for human dignity," stated Maxime Cessieux, a lawyer representing some of the migrants.

The female defendant, Svetlana G., operated a recruitment agency named Anavim, specializing in labor for the wine industry, while her co-defendants were her associates. Besides human trafficking, she faces additional charges, including employing foreigners without permits and providing substandard housing. If convicted, they could face significant prison sentences and hefty fines.

This case has sparked a broader dialogue about labor exploitation within the €6 billion champagne industry, which relies on approximately 120,000 seasonal workers each autumn. Recent tragedies, including the deaths of six grape pickers from heatstroke during harvest, have raised alarm about worker safety and treatment.

Trade unions have criticized champagne houses for allegedly using intermediaries to obscure their labor practices and advocate for legislative changes to hold producers accountable. Jose Blanco of the CGT union stated, "It should not be possible to harvest the grapes of champagne using human misery." In contrast, the Comité Champagne, representing producers, contends that mistreatment is rare and promptly addressed, participating in the trial as a civil plaintiff to mitigate damage to the brand.