Maghrebi immigration to northern France in the 20th century had a significant impact on the textile sector. Immigrant workers, especially those from Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia, were recruited massively to compensate for the lack of local labour while allowing industrialists to benefit from skilled workers at lower wages. We can now measure the economic and cultural contribution of these workers, who, by bringing with them textile skills and traditions, also contributed to the diversity and richness of the sector despite economic difficulties, The European Union has been able to cope with the cultural and social challenges they faced as immigrants.
With:
Bouzid Belgacem, president of the association of former employees of Tossée (Tourcoing)
Jean-René Genty, historian specializing in immigration in northern France
Moderation Mathilde Wybo, research engineer, University of Lille
In partnership with La Manufacture – Roubaix