This article was automatically translated from HIBAPRESS, the Arabic version:
This article was automatically translated from HIBAPRESS, the Arabic version:
Heba Press – Muhammad Zariyouh
In the cold darkness of dawn, seasonal workers begin their day in Europe’s fields and farms, working in harsh conditions for paltry wages, insufficient to meet their basic needs. They carry heavy bags and boxes, their hands trembling from the extreme cold, and live in inadequate housing, lacking the most basic conditions for a decent life, such as water and electricity.
These workers leave their countries in search of better job opportunities, but find themselves facing severe exploitation in sectors such as agriculture, construction and catering. Long working hours, low wages and working without a formal contract have become a daily reality for these workers.
Moroccan workers also suffer from housing problems, as they are forced to live in unsanitary and inappropriate places, leading to a deterioration in their psychological and physical condition. Additionally, some employers exploit their need to work, depriving them of basic rights such as sick leave and social insurance.
The suffering is not limited to men, but also includes women who work as seasonal workers in difficult conditions and are sometimes exposed to sexual exploitation and even human trafficking. Cultural and language barriers make their lives more difficult, as they find themselves unable to communicate with employers or local authorities to defend their rights.
Despite efforts by some humanitarian organizations and unions to defend the rights of seasonal workers, these attempts have failed to reduce exploitation. There is an urgent need for stricter European legislation to protect these workers and guarantee their fundamental rights.
The suffering of Moroccan workers in Europe continues, while calls to improve their conditions and guarantee their dignity in their workplace and at home continue, waiting for these demands to transform into a tangible reality that will end their long-term suffering.
