Human Trafficking Trial Unveils Exploitation of Champagne Workers in France

Three individuals face charges of human trafficking and labor exploitation involving over 50 undocumented migrant workers from West Africa, employed under deplorable conditions during the recent grape harvest in France’s Champagne region.

In Reims, France, a human trafficking trial has drawn attention to the plight of seasonal workers within the champagne industry. Three suspects—a Kyrgyz woman, a Georgian man, and a Frenchman—are accused of exploiting more than 50 undocumented migrants, primarily from West African countries. The workers, aged 16 to 65, were recruited through a WhatsApp group promising lucrative employment, only to find themselves living in appalling conditions during the September grape harvest.

The living situation for these laborers was dire, as they reported cramped quarters near Nesle-le-Repons with little access to clean water and inadequate food. “We were crammed into a broken-down house," recounted Kanouitié Djakariayou, one of the migrants. “What we lived through there was truly terrible.” Another worker, Doumbia Mamadou, expressed their trauma, stating they received no psychological support and felt like they had no rights due to their undocumented status.

Following a tip-off from a concerned local resident, labor inspectors investigated the situation, revealing that the migrants lived in unsafe and unsanitary conditions, with accusations of significant violations concerning their health, safety, and dignity. State prosecutor Annick Browne outlined the deficiencies, noting that work areas were substandard and the migrants faced grueling work schedules with only limited breaks.

Svetlana G., the primary suspect, ran a recruitment agency specializing in labor for the wine sector. Besides human trafficking, she faces multiple other charges related to labor regulations and inadequate treatment of workers. If convicted, the suspects could face up to seven years in prison and substantial fines.

This trial has sparked a broader discussion about the systemic exploitation of workers in the €6 billion champagne sector. With no mechanized harvesting methods, producers employ around 120,000 seasonal workers annually, often through agencies. Moreover, the industry’s past has seen incidents of abuse, including recent tragedies involving grape pickers.

Trade unions have voiced concerns that some champagne producers use middlemen to obscure their exploitation of vulnerable laborers. "It should not be possible to harvest the grapes of champagne using human misery," stated Jose Blanco of the CGT union, advocating for stricter laws against such practices.

While the Comité Champagne, representing the industry, claims worker mistreatment is rare and swiftly addressed, they have acknowledged their participation in the trial as a civil plaintiff, recognizing the reputational damage caused by such "unacceptable practices." The outcome of this high-profile trial could have significant implications for labor rights and practices in the champagne sector.