On November 19, the European Union adopted a regulation aimed at banning the sale, import, and export of products made using forced labor. This regulation is set to impact various industries, including agriculture, where the exploitation of migrant workers, often under conditions of forced labor, has been a longstanding issue. With agricultural sectors in countries such as Italy, Spain, and Greece heavily reliant on undocumented laborers, the regulation has the potential to bring significant changes to how these industries operate.
The agricultural sector in the EU is one of the largest employers, generating billions of euros annually. However, it has also been one of the most problematic sectors in terms of labor exploitation. In Southern European countries like Italy, Spain, and Greece, a significant portion of the agricultural workforce comprises migrant workers who often face precarious conditions. Many of these workers, such as Seydou from Mali, labor under exploitative circumstances without contracts, adequate pay, or legal protections. In Italy’s Calabria region, for example, workers picking oranges are paid by the crate, with no guarantees of minimum wage. They live in substandard conditions with no access to basic services like water or electricity. Similarly, in Greece, the harvest of olives relies heavily on undocumented workers, many of whom risk severe penalties to find employment.
These harsh realities are exacerbated by the pressures on farmers and employers, who are often caught in a cycle of low prices dictated by supermarket monopolies. To maintain profitability, some farmers resort to cutting wages, hiring workers off the books, or simply abandoning their farms. The lack of legal protections for migrant laborers further fuels the exploitation in the sector.
The EU’s Forced Labor Regulation seeks to address these issues by prohibiting the sale of goods that are linked to forced labor, whether produced inside the EU or imported from outside. This means that products made with forced labor at any stage of their production process, including agricultural goods, will be banned from the market. The regulation aligns with international labor standards, particularly the definitions set out by the International Labour Organization (ILO), which identifies forced labor as work extracted under threat of penalty without voluntary consent.
The implementation of this regulation will be challenging, especially in agriculture, where the reliance on undocumented workers is widespread. For example, in Spain, Moroccan women work in the strawberry fields under a bilateral agreement, and in Greece, many migrant workers cross the Aegean Sea seeking agricultural employment. These workers are often employed under informal conditions, with limited rights and protections, making it difficult to ensure compliance with the new law. Additionally, investigations into forced labor will differ depending on the origin of the product, with member states handling EU-made goods and the European Commission overseeing imports. This dual system could lead to inconsistencies in enforcement across the EU.
One of the primary challenges of enforcing this regulation lies in the practicalities of monitoring the agricultural supply chain. The agricultural sector is vast and often operates through informal networks, especially in rural areas where migrant workers are most prevalent. While the regulation is a step toward reducing exploitation, it will require extensive cooperation between EU member states, local authorities, and the private sector to be effective. There is also concern that without careful implementation, the regulation could inadvertently push workers into even more vulnerable positions, as employers may seek to further exploit workers or avoid legal scrutiny altogether.
In addition to the Forced Labor Regulation, the EU has adopted the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive, which mandates that companies identify and address human rights abuses throughout their supply chains. Together, these measures signal a stronger EU commitment to tackling labor exploitation and creating more ethical supply chains. However, experts warn that true change will depend on the vigilance of governments and companies in ensuring that the regulation does not simply shift the problem elsewhere or deepen the vulnerability of already marginalized workers.
The agricultural sector, which plays such a crucial role in Europe’s economy, must now adapt to these new legal realities. While the EU’s forced labor regulation marks an important step toward reducing exploitation, its success will depend on effective enforcement and the commitment of all stakeholders to protect the rights of workers, particularly those in the most vulnerable positions.
