Latest update: 01/07/2011

- France - immigration - Paris - Tunisia - Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali

The 'French dream' of Tunisia’s illegal immigrants

After the revolution that toppled former President Ben Ali, some 23,000 Tunisians crossed over illegally to the Italian island of Lampedusa. Many have stayed in Italy, others made their way to France. France 24 caught up in Paris with the same group of migrants we filmed in Tunisia in March.

REPORTERS

By Cyril VANIER / Julien SAUVAGET / Zakaria DRIAS

This is “part 2” of a story that began after the fall of former Tunisian President Ben Ali. In the post-revolution chaos, coastguards stopped patrolling the Tunisian coastline and tens of thousands paid smugglers (about 1,000 euros per person) to pack them on old fishing boats and get them to the Italian island of Lampedusa, the gateway to Europe.

They weren’t fleeing the political chaos in the country at the time: they were looking for economic opportunities in a land far richer than theirs.

In “part 1” of the story, we followed Mokhtar, Mohanned and Alaeddine as they prepared to cross the Mediterranean sea. All are part of the same family, all come from Tataouine, the main town in the economically-depressed south.

Three months after they left Tunisia, we decided we needed to show what happens when they reach their destination: what do they do? how are they faring in their new home?

We caught up with them in Aubervilliers, a working-class suburb just north of Paris. They all survived the boat trip, and they all chose to leave Italy for France because they have relatives who can help them here.

What struck me is not so much the hardship or the difficulty for illegal immigrants of finding a job in France, but the huge disconnect between the reality of life here and the expectations of most of these migrants. Alaeddine put it very simply: “coming to France, he said, is the dream of every young Arab. France means tall buildings, luxury cars and luxury clothes.”

What a disappointment it was for him! Alaeddine quickly realized that as an undocumented immigrant who hardly spoke the language, it would be extremely difficult for him to get anything beyond a very menial job. So he decided to cut his losses and now wants to go home.

But many others will hang on and tough it out here, waiting for a job to come their way. They’ve sacrificed too much, taken too many risks, to just give up.

Our report is the story of these undocumented immigrants from southern Tunisia, trying to make it here in France.

25/05/2012 - REPORTERS

Egypt after the revolution

Egypt has just held the first free and democratic presidential election of its history. The run-off will take place mid-June. Since the fall of Mubarak, the country has been run by the military, the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces. France 24 went to meet Egyptian voters.

18/05/2012 - REPORTERS

EXCLUSIVE - Sudan: The Blue Nile’s Forgotten Rebellion

Since September, war has been raging between the Sudanese Revolutionary Front and the Sudanese Armed Forces in the Blue Nile State. FRANCE 24's James André, Chady Chlela and Stéphanie Braquehais went to the frontline with the rebels.

11/05/2012 - REPORTERS

No more 'Made in China'?

They’re the worker bees of China’s labour market – the four million poorly paid men and women who drive Guangdong’s massive textile industry. But now they’re demanding higher pay and better conditions, and in response companies are relocating to countries where labour is even cheaper – like Vietnam, Cambodia and Bangladesh. "Made in China" is a worldwide brand, but are we now witnessing the beginning of its end?

04/05/2012 - REPORTERS

Greece's makeshift economy

With wages slashed, companies going bankrupt and mass unemployment, Greece has borne the full brunt of the economic crisis. Like Yannis, everyone has to find a way to feed their family. Throughout the country, hustles, scams and under-the counter payments are fuelling a black economy in which anything goes.

27/04/2012 - REPORTERS

Black gold brings hope to French Guiana

French Guiana, an overseas department bordering Brazil, is one of France's poorest regions, where unemployment is at a record level. But with oil being discovered, locals are starting to hope for a better life. Will they benefit from the black gold?

Comments (1)

Tough times

by Anonyme - 02/07/2011 - 21:26

While things are still tough in many parts of the world and I know there is a bit more cultural affinity between Tunisia and France, I wonder why more people do not apply to come to North America, whether it is Canada or the US?

report abuse