Morocco's 'mule' women scratch a living on Spanish enclave border

Moroccans queue with goods to be taken across the border from SpainÕs North African enclave of Melilla into Moroccan settlement of Beni Ansar, in Melilla, Spain July 19, 2017. Picture taken July 19, 2017. REUTERS/Youssef Boudlall

MELILLA, Spain (Reuters) - In a winding early-morning queue, Jemaa Laalaoua hunches over with 50 kg (110 lb) of kitchenware on her back, waiting to cross back into Morocco from the Spanish enclave of Melilla.

The 41-year-old mother of eight is one of thousands of Moroccans who eke out a living by walking loads of merchandise from Melilla into the northern Moroccan province of Nador.