Companions of the Emmaüs community of Saint-André-lez-Lille have been on strike since the beginning of July to demand dignified treatment and prospects for regularization.
Companions in an irregular situation are on strike there and consider themselves exploited. The Emmaus branch in Saint-André-lez-Lille (Nord) is under investigation for “trafficking in human beings” and “hidden work”, the Lille prosecutor’s office reported on Friday July 14. This preliminary investigation was opened in May and entrusted to the Mobile Zonal Research Brigade and the Central Office for the Fight against Illegal Work, said the prosecution, confirming information from the Street Press site.
“We will launch an external audit as soon as possible”reacted the charity organization in a press release on Thursday, adding that “the facts mentioned, of which we were not aware, are particularly serious and shocking, if they are proven”. Emmaus France has also asked local Emmaus officials to put “withdrawn” the director of the community concerned, Anne Saingier, also president of Emmaüs Nord-Pas-de-Calais/Picardie, in order to “guarantee the protection of the people received than that of the latter, currently at the center of growing tensions”.
“They treat us here like pigs”
Companions of the Emmaus community in Saint-André-lez-Lille have been on an indefinite strike since the beginning of July to demand dignified treatment and prospects for regularization. The strikers, all in an irregular situation, have been housed for several months to several years in this community and declare having worked in difficult conditions, with the hope of being regularized after three years of work.
“They treat us here like pigs”deplores a 28-year-old Guinean, preferring to keep his name silent. “I work from Tuesday to Saturday, from 8 a.m. to noon and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., for a total hourly volume of 40 hours per week… with a monthly salary of 200 euros, including 50 euros for rent and charges .” “Recently during a meeting, Anne Saingier told us that it was no longer certain to benefit from regulation after three years (…) that we can do five or even 10 years. where people started to wake up”continues a Congolese.
Community members are not “employees or employees”but “solidarity workers”which are “fed, housed and receive a monthly allowance”, emphasizes Emmaüs France in its press release. Those who have lived there for “at least 3 years old can be issued a temporary residence card”adds the association, but if the communities “support” these requests, “the decision rests with the prefects”.