Sugar cane sector in La Réunion faces labor violations and economic scrutiny

Authorities in La Réunion have uncovered significant labor violations within the sugar cane sector. During inspections of six agricultural holdings in Bras-Panon, officials from DEETS and URSSAF identified eight individuals working in an undeclared capacity. Of the nine employees identified during the checks, only one had been officially declared.

Prosecutor Véronique Denizot noted that many workers were being paid per tonne rather than by the hour. This method resulted in extremely low hourly wages, estimated between 4 and 5.30 euros. The prosecutor emphasized that the sugar cane sector is particularly vulnerable to issues regarding declaration, remuneration, and working hours during the harvest period.

Separately, the CGPER union is calling for a broader economic evaluation as a ministerial expert mission prepares to visit the island. CGPER President Jean-Michel Moutama has urged experts to focus on the actual value of a tonne of cane and the specific portion of that value that returns to the growers, rather than focusing solely on wealth measurement protocols.