Champagne vineyard operators sentenced for exploiting seasonal grape pickers in Reims

A court in Reims has handed down prison sentences to several individuals involved in the exploitation of seasonal grape pickers in the Champagne region. The verdict follows a trial held on June 19, where the main defendant, head of the vineyard services company Anavim, was found guilty of human trafficking, undeclared work, employing foreign workers without authorization, and providing little or no pay. She received a four-year prison sentence, with two years to be served immediately under a detention order.

Two other defendants, both in their thirties and accused of recruiting grape pickers from the Paris area, were sentenced to one year in prison each. One received an additional two-year suspended sentence, while the other received a one-year suspended sentence. The court also ordered the dissolution of Anavim and imposed a fine of 75,000 euros on Sarl Cerseuillat de la Gravelle, a wine cooperative in the Marne department that had contracted Anavim’s services.

The prosecutor had requested even harsher penalties, including a 200,000-euro fine for the cooperative and the dissolution of Anavim. During the trial, Anavim’s manager, originally from Kyrgyzstan, denied responsibility for the poor living conditions provided to the workers and shifted blame onto her co-defendants.

The case began after labor inspectors visited worker accommodations provided by Anavim in Nesle-le-Repons, southwest of Reims, in September 2023. Inspectors found conditions that seriously endangered workers’ health, safety and dignity. The local prefecture later closed the site after finding makeshift bedding, filthy toilets and common areas, and dangerous electrical installations.

Testimonies during the trial described harsh realities faced by the workers. Modibo Sidibe told AFP that they were housed in an abandoned building without food or water and worked from five in the morning until six at night during harvest season. Another worker, Camara Sikou, told the court they were treated “like slaves.”

The court’s decision comes as French authorities increase scrutiny on labor practices in agriculture and viticulture. The Champagne region relies heavily on seasonal labor during harvest time each year. This case highlights ongoing concerns about worker exploitation and substandard living conditions among temporary agricultural workers in France.