Accusations report that the workers, who were recruited via WhatsApp from Paris's West African community, lived in overcrowded, unsanitary environments. Many shared stories of the grim accommodations that led to significant psychological trauma, with laborers detained in unsafe living settings with minimal human dignity. Labor inspectors responded to claims and found severe violations regarding safety and health, leading to the trial. Amid growing scrutiny on the €6 billion champagne industry, union representatives have called for major reforms to protect vulnerable laborers, emphasizing the moral obligation to ensure humane working conditions throughout the production process.
French Champagne Harvest Exposed for Human Trafficking Amid Worker Exploitation
French Champagne Harvest Exposed for Human Trafficking Amid Worker Exploitation
Human trafficking allegations shed light on the exploitation of seasonal workers in France's champagne industry.
A human trafficking trial has emerged in Reims, France, spotlighting the harsh realities faced by seasonal workers in the champagne grape-picking sector. Three individuals, including a Kyrgyzstani woman and a Georgian man, are facing serious charges for exploiting over 50 undocumented migrants from West Africa. The workers, including aged refugees from Mali and Senegal, were subjected to deplorable living conditions with little food and no clean water.
