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February 24, 2022

Haitian Police Kill Journalist Amid Ongoing Protests by Exploited Garment Workers
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In Haiti, one journalist was killed and others injured after police
opened fire on a demonstration of factory workers in Port-au-Prince
demanding living wages. On Monday, Haiti's government announced a
minimum wage increase of up to 54% following weeks of demonstrations and
amid soaring inflation. But striking garment workers say that even with
the pay raise, their salary is still just half, or less, of the roughly
$15 per day they are demanding. 

Similien Miguelson: "Once again, we've taken to the streets to protest
the wage adjustment of $1.70, because we do not accept it. In the
letters we've sent to Prime Minister Ariel Henry, we have demanded $14
and social benefits. We've been to four meetings without reaching a
solution."

Garment workers in Haiti make clothes in sweatshop conditions for major
U.S. brands, including Gap, Walmart and Target, and for Canada's Gildan
Activewear.


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