Thursday January 4, in front of the large building of La Halte Saint-Jean, in Saint-André-lez-Lille (North), around ten Emmaüs companions warm up in front of a brazier. The sound system spits its music, like every day except Sunday since the social conflict began, in June 2023. As in other communities in the north of France, the majority of undocumented companions are on strike to protest against their working conditions and demand their regularization. The day before, the prefect of the North ordered the closure of the place due to fire risk. The prefecture stressed that it is the responsibility of the operator of La Halte Saint-Jean to ensure the rehousing of companions while the establishment is brought up to standard.
In the absence of Alix Kombila, their spokesperson, the strikers, who scrupulously respect the decisions taken at the general assembly, give the floor to a CGT activist, Pierre Rouffaud, who sees in the prefectural decision to close “a way of dividing the movement”. “We’re not fools! »he exclaims.
Although it is just regulatory, Pierre Rouffaud sees in the obligation imposed on the operator of the premises to organize the rehousing of residents a “small victory” after weeks of standoff which led to no progress. For six months, the companions on strike have no longer received their monthly income and have had to rely on meal vouchers given by Emmaüs France and on local solidarity. No regularization was granted to these men or families, most of whom were under an unexecuted obligation to leave French territory (OQTF), who hoped, after three years at Emmaüs, to finally obtain their papers, the key to building their lives in France and leave the community.
This is what is usually done for companions foreigners who can hope for regularization by the prefect. Having worked for several years in the community, therefore being considered as volunteers, is not enough, however. You must also prove your desire for integration, sufficient mastery of French, training efforts, and having never been in trouble with the law.
“This decree will not change anything”
Didier, who wishes to remain anonymous, ticks all these boxes. But this Ivorian student, who holds a master’s degree in economics and management, must for the moment be content to share his detailed knowledge of world geopolitics on the sidewalk. He is stuck at Emmaüs because he does not have a residence permit which would give him the right to work. Leave La Halte Saint-Jean, as he will perhaps be forced to do? “But to go where? »asks the young man. “ Some have been here for five yearsassures Pierre Rouffaud. They built their lives here. They don’t want to be sent to the other end of France. »
You have 50% of this article left to read. The rest is reserved for subscribers.