In one and a half years, Paris will host the Summer Olympics. To ensure that everything is ready on time, the sports facilities are being built at around 40 construction sites.

Controls have shown that workers without valid papers are also being used. Moussa comes from Mali and is one of them. He says he has been slaving away on the construction site for the Olympic Village. Under precarious conditions and without a work contract, overtime was not paid.

Beautiful stadiums, built on the backs of the poor

“Behind all these beautiful stadiums is another reality, they are built on the backs of poor people. There are construction sites where I had to work until 8pm. If you refuse, they blackmail you and say, ‘Either you stay longer or you pack your things’.”

Gaye is also from Mali, and he too has no papers. He says he was employed illegally on the construction site of the aquatic centre.

Did his boss know he was working without papers?

“Yes, of course!”

He also denounces the bad treatment by his employers and the unpaid hours.

“For example, you work for two months and the boss only pays for one. But I accept that because he knows my situation and I know it too. “

Investigation for moonlighting

Since the revelation of illegally employed construction workers, the Labour Inspectorate has been looking closely and has tightened its controls.

An investigation has also been launched into undeclared work and the employment of undocumented migrants in an organised manner.

Solideo, the project company responsible for the Olympic construction sites, claims that the problem has been recognised – and the necessary measures have been taken.

Example games – easier said than done

Antoine du Souich, Director of Strategy and Innovation at Solideo explains, “We analysed the situations and if there were errant companies, they were immediately expelled from the site. But we also questioned our own way of working and decided to strengthen measures to prevent undeclared work.”

The presence of illegal workers on France’s prestigious construction site is causing embarrassment. Also in view of the negative headlines about exploitation and illegal labour around the recent World Cup in Qatar.

Actually, the organisers of Paris 2024 had promised exemplary games – easier said than done.