seasonal workers exploited in Côte-d’Or

From the outside, a house looks similar to all those on the street. But inside, its unsanitary conditions led to the evacuation of 70 Spanish workers who had come for the grape harvest. “We slept on mattresses on the floor. It was cold and damp. There were between 11 and 20 people in small rooms of less than 10 m².”says a seasonal worker. An investigation has been opened into unworthy accommodation conditions, but his workers, dismissed after the rehousing, also denounce breaches of labor law.

“We worked all day without eating. A 9.5 hour day with an empty stomach.”deplores a seasonal worker. Illegal accommodation conditions have already been denounced in the past. Last year, four foreign seasonal workers died in Champagne due to extreme heat. The industry finds itself under pressure to protect its reputation.