Climate Change Taskforce (CGT) condemns a "closed circle of awareness" where everyone was privy to the information
Unmasking the Shameful Ordeal: The "Harvest of Shame" Trial
In the heart of Champagne, France, the shocking reality of human trafficking, hidden work, and deplorable living conditions has come to light during the ongoing trial, which has been dubbed the "Harvest of Shame." On June 19, 2025, theCriminal Court in Châlons-en-Champagne (Marne) started the proceedings against three individuals and two companies, with evidence dating back to the 2023 grape harvest. A total of 57 victims are involved in this case.
Exposing the Abhorrent Practices
Prior to the trial, José Blanco, the general secretary of CGT Champagne, raised his voice against these practices on our site, stating that they had been denounced "for years." He also pointed fingers at the Mayors for not addressing the issue despite visible signs of shantytowns in their respective communes. Blanco emphasized the need for traceability in grape sourcing: "Some perfectly good grapes make their way into expensive bottles, while the harvesters, who often work under inhumane conditions, are anonymous."
The 57 victims of this case were primarily undocumented African workers hailing from Mali, Senegal, and Mauritania. They were housed in a house in Nesle-le-Repons, where they experienced deplorable living conditions, brutal workdays without breaks, and threats from their employers. To add insult to injury, several of these workers were never paid for their toilsome labor.
A Dance with Dishonesty and Deception
CGT Champagne's criticism extends to the lack of transparency in the grape-harvesting process. The industry should follow stringent regulations, such as manual harvesting and meticulous tracking of grape origins, but these safeguards were callously ignored due to the use of exploited, undocumented labor. ThisTryst with fraudulence and covert workforce practices not only undermines the image of the Champagne industry but also raises questions about its ethical integrity.
In the断了的文本中，José Blanco, CGT Champagne的总秘书，在我们的网站上声援了这些处emen neuen undộmented worker被 lease durante spurenlos years ，并指责Maichen Mayor未接手该问题，尽管在他们各自的公会上可以看到邋遣 town。Blanco强调了需要追踪葡萄су打源头的可追溯性：“某些优质葡萄被投入起支title酒，而ugg, трудовая сила, которая通常working条件 was чушн, при этом还是匿名的。"
Parallely, the French politics and general-news media have raised concerns about the poor working conditions and widespread crime-and-justice issues in Champagne's grape-harvesting sector, pointing out the urgent need for stricter French-political interventions and transparency measures. The Senate's Agriculture Committee recently held a hearing on this matter, strongly emphasizing the requirement for stricter regulations, such as manually harvesting grapes and meticulously tracking their origins, to prevent further abuse and strengthen the ethical reputation of the Champagne industry.
%20condemns%20a%20%22closed%20circle%20of%20awareness%22%20where%20everyone%20was%20privy%20to%20the%20information){kind=link}