In Reims, France, a significant trial has commenced, focusing on the alleged exploitation of seasonal workers within the renowned champagne industry. Three individuals—a woman from Kyrgyzstan, a man from Georgia, and a Frenchman—stand accused of trafficking over 50 workers, primarily from West Africa.
The undocumented migrants were discovered during the 2023 harvest in deplorable conditions at a site in Nesle-le-Repons, located southwest of Reims. These individuals were recruited through a WhatsApp group targeting the West African Soninke community based in Paris, under the guise of offering lucrative employment opportunities in champagne production.
Ranging from ages 16 to 65, the 48 men and nine women hailed from countries such as Mali, Mauritania, Ivory Coast, and Senegal. Many of these vulnerable migrants have attended the trial, shedding light on their harrowing experiences. "They shouted at us in Russian and crammed us into this broken-down house, with mattresses on the floor," recounted Kanouitié Djakariayou, reflecting on their appalling living conditions. Fellow migrant Doumbia Mamadou noted that they received no psychological support, as their undocumented status deprived them of legal rights.
A local resident brought the situation to the attention of labor inspectors, who subsequently uncovered serious public health and safety violations at the site. According to state prosecutor Annick Browne, the found conditions severely compromised the migrants' health and dignity. The migrants were subjected to grueling ten-hour workdays with only minimal breaks, often transported in unsafe conditions.
The accused individuals include Svetlana G., the leader of a recruitment agency specializing in labor for the wine sector, and her associates. Facing various charges—including human trafficking, hiring undocumented workers, and providing inadequate living conditions—they could potentially receive jail sentences of up to seven years along with significant fines.
This case has ignited discussions around the scale of worker exploitation in the champagne industry, valued at approximately €6 billion. The region relies on nearly 120,000 seasonal workers each autumn, many of whom are procured through agencies that may exploit them. Tragic incidents, like the suspected heatstroke deaths of six grape pickers during the last harvest, have raised further alarm over working conditions.
In response, trade unions are advocating for legislative reforms that would penalize champagne producers using illegal labor, even indirectly, asserting that human suffering should not be entangled with champagne production. Conversely, the Comité Champagne, representing local producers, maintains that instances of worker mistreatment are rare and promptly addressed. This organization is participating in the trial as a civil plaintiff, recognizing the damage such practices inflict on the champagne brand.
