The Champagne region in France has seen a series of investigations initiated in response to concerning issues surrounding the recent grape harvest. Céline Fassey, Deputy Prosecutor in
Châlons-en-Champagne, confirmed the launch of two investigations into potential cases of human trafficking. These investigations pertain to alleged activities in Nesle-le-Repons and Mourmelon-le-Petit.
The incidents that triggered these investigations were brought to light in September. In Mourmelon-le-Petit, located southeast of Reims, a prefectural order issued on September 8 led to the closure of a substandard building where approximately 160 Ukrainian grape-pickers were residing. Subsequently, in mid-September, the labor inspection department identified a building in Nesles-le-Repons housing 52 workers of Malian, Mauritanian, and Senegalese origins, all living in substandard conditions.
In both instances, the prefectural orders documented the presence of numerous makeshift sleeping arrangements, deteriorating infrastructure, subpar and unsanitary living conditions, inadequate cleanliness and disinfection, deplorable restroom and communal areas, and the accumulation of waste in the washrooms. Additionally, there was a noted risk of fire in these facilities. Photo by Rob & Lisa Meehan, Wikimedia commons.