Moroccan women expelled from Spain after abuse in strawberry farms

Two Moroccan women working in Spain’s high-profit strawberry sector were expelled and sent back to Morocco under alarming conditions—one while pregnant, the other with cancer—triggering widespread criticism over the treatment of migrant laborers.

Pregnant and abandoned

The first case involved a group of Moroccan women recruited under Spain’s GECCO program, which facilitates temporary agricultural labor through contracts signed in the workers’ home country. The women arrived in April to work for Berrys la Dehesa in Cartaya, Huelva.

According to the Spanish union CCOO, the workers were denied contracts, pay slips, and social security registration. Despite fulfilling their tasks, the company allegedly ceased work assignments after May 9, leaving the women without income or legal protection. One among them was five months pregnant.

The union intervened, filing complaints with Spain’s Labor Inspectorate and the Government Subdelegation in Huelva. As a result, the employer was forced to formalize contracts and issue foreign identity cards, crucial for future employment eligibility. Nonetheless, the women were pressured to return to Morocco “on their own,” violating GECCO regulations.

The employer reportedly refused to engage with journalists and reacted aggressively during negotiations with union representatives.

Cancer patient removed mid-treatment

In a separate case, Zahra, a 47-year-old Moroccan who worked seven years in Huelva’s berry farms, was sent home after being diagnosed with cervical cancer. She had been receiving treatment in Juan Ramón Jiménez Hospital and had medication prescribed until September.

According to the immigrant rights group AMIA, Zahra was dismissed while on medical leave. She is a single mother of six, three still in her care, and now faces critical treatment gaps in Morocco. AMIA accuses the employer of stripping her of social protections and demands her return for continued care.

Interfresa, the industry’s main trade association, claims Zahra requested repatriation. Its Prelsi coordinator said she wanted to be with her family after receiving a terminal diagnosis. AMIA rejects this, insisting Zahra only contacted the organization to obtain her medical documents for continuity of treatment.

Berrys La Fontanilla, Zahra’s employer, and the cooperative Fresón de Palos declined to comment, although Fresón de Palos told Publico that Zahra “was supported in everything she needed.”

Systemic abuse in Spain’s berry industry

These are not isolated events. In 2022, another Moroccan worker, Smahia, was also sent home after being diagnosed with terminal cancer. She died shortly after returning to Morocco, having worked 14 seasons in Spain. Her employer allegedly accused her of faking illness.

Huelva’s berry sector covers 11,700 hectares and generates over 350,000 tons of strawberries annually. It contributes about 8% to Andalusia’s GDP and supplies nearly all of Spain’s red fruit exports. The industry relies on the GECCO program, which brought 17,000 Moroccan women to Spain this year alone.

Despite being promoted as a model of circular migration, repeated abuse scandals have raised doubts about the integrity of the system. In 2021, 170 Moroccan women had to be repatriated due to health emergencies and unresolved contract disputes. In 2020, over 7,000 were trapped in Spain due to pandemic closures, many without support.

Numerous investigations, including a 2019 New York Times report, have exposed widespread mistreatment—ranging from unpaid wages to verbal and sexual abuse. Migrant women have described their experience in Spain as exploitative and degrading, fueling calls for systemic reforms and greater oversight.