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13 Aug 2022

Haiti: Textile workers striking and protesting for higher wages

Alamy

In January and February 2022, workers in Haiti's textile industry began a series of peaceful protests to demand wage increases, after more than three years without an increase in the minimum wage.

The National Network for the Defence of Human Rights denounced that violent and systematic police repression resulted in at least 15 people injured and one killed (Roi des Infos reporter Lazzare Maxihen).

The protests led to negotiations between the government and a coalition of nine textile unions, which resulted in an increase in the minimum wage from 500 gourdes ($4.82) per day to 685 gourdes ($5.85) per day. 

The Solidarity Center says Haiti's daily minimum wage is far below the estimated cost of living in the country and that disruptions in the supply chain have left most garment workers facing reduced hours or layoffs, threatening their ability to support their families.

The coalition of unions also succeeded in getting the government to provide transportation and food in the amount of 135,000,000 gourdes ($1,116,595) to textile workers in Port-Au-Prince.

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