Meet THE PICKERS at the BACK TO THE FUTURE March
The impact campaign around the documentary film THE PICKERS is delighted to provide inspiration to the BACK TO THE FUTURE March from Maastricht to Brussels which will urge EU leaders to uphold the core values the EU has been founded on – in particular in the light of the imminent votes for the ‘Omnibus’ package intended to roll back the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive.
The film THE PICKERS has been praised for giving some of the two million migrant workers in European agriculture a face, sharing their stories and exposing their precarious living and working conditions. While we may have heard of the statistics and the issues, it is crucial we make that human connection, and this observational documentary has proven to be an ideal tool for that.
The march, taking place from 21 to 23 September 2025, is organised by Friends of the Earth Europe in collaboration with ECCJ and ETUC and will be accompanied by screenings of THE PICKERS at its core stops, followed by conversations with campaigners and experts.
This will take the message of the march to local audiences along the way, reminding them and EU politicians that it is time to take responsibility for giving these workers a better life, and to hold corporations to account for this.
The film will be shown in the original languages of its participants with English subtitles. For further accessibility requirements – such as sign language interpretation of the discussion – please contact us to discuss your needs.
Maastricht, Sunday 21 September, 15:00
Pathé, Sphinxcour 1, 6211 XZ Maastricht.
Free entry – register here.
Hasselt, Sunday 21 September, 19:00
Foyer of ACV Limburg, Monseigneur Broekxplein 6, 3500 Hasselt.
Free entry – register here.
Enghien, Sunday 21 September, 19:00
Salle des mariages, Hôtel de Ville d’Engien, Grand Pl 6, 7850 Enghien.
Short version of THE PICKERS (Oranges amères) – free entry. In the context of a parallel march from France (Marche pour les Droits Humains) which leaves Roubaix in France and ends in Brussels on the same dates.
Brussels, Wednesday 24 September, 19:00
Cinéma Aventure, Rue des Fripiers 15, 1000 Bruxelles.
Tickets for €9.75 or €11.00 are sold directly from the cinema but we will have a special allocation of tickets for those who work for the EU, Member States’ representations, or relevant non-profit organisations. If that is the case for you, please use the RSVP form on this page.
The Brussels screening will also serve as an opportunity for MEPs, their staff and other stakeholders to see the film THE PICKERS in its entirety ahead of a special event at the European Parliament on 11 November when clips of the film will spark high-level discussions.
And while we have your attention – please consider adding your voice to our call for 10 essential guarantees for migrant workers: We want a FAIR PICK.
