Mohamed, a young man from a repressive, impoverished country, arrived in Europe without documents and quickly fell into the hands of criminal networks that forced him to surrender part of his wages to secure employment.
Key takeaways
- Exploitation by smugglers: Mohamed was compelled to give a share of his salary to a compatriot who acted as a labor broker.
- Hard, low‑pay jobs: He was assigned to work in sewers, quarries and waste pits—tasks that locals avoid.
- Multiple jobs and long hours: He often held up to three jobs simultaneously to earn enough to survive.
- Cultural shock: Mohamed and other newcomers struggled to adapt to Western customs, which they perceived as morally lax.
- Hope of return: A fellow migrant told him that most workers intend to go back to their home country.
Journey from oppression to exploitation
In his native village, Mohamed faced strict religious surveillance and limited prospects. A friend who had previously emigrated described Europe as a land of opportunity, prompting Mohamed to leave.
Reality on arrival
Upon reaching the continent, Mohamed discovered that the promised conditions were overstated. Without legal status, he became vulnerable to a network of traffickers who demanded a cut of his earnings in exchange for jobs.