“Undocumented Moroccan worker speaks out after two years of exploitation in Brittany”

In Côtes-d'Armor, a 32-year-old undocumented Moroccan man is speaking out after two years of working off the books at a restaurant in Saint-Brieuc, Brittany. Souhail Bouguerba says he was exploited by his employer, who promised to help him get legal status in France, a promise that was never kept…

In 2023, he accepted a job from a restaurant owner with dual French-Moroccan nationality, who told him he would help sort out his immigration status. Instead, Souhail says he endured long hours, low pay, and verbal abuse. «He would often yell at me. I showed up to work even when I was sick. Some customers were worried about me», he told Le Parisien.

He worked around 55 hours a week and was paid in cash. In March, he received a text message from his boss telling him not to come back, with no explanation…

He has since taken his case to the labor court and filed a criminal complaint for undeclared work and degrading working conditions…

Souhail hopes sharing his story will encourage other undocumented workers to speak out…