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Haiti Policemen Protest Demanding Better Work Conditions, Union

Sandra Lemaire

   WASHINGTON/PORT-AU-PRINCE - Hundreds of policemen from Haiti's National
   Police Force, PNH, took to the streets of the capital, Port-au-Prince
   Sunday, dressed in civilian clothes to protest against what they say
   are deplorable work conditions.

   The police officers, who are demanding officials allow them to form a
   union, complain they have not been paid for months, while being
   expected to risk their lives to maintain law and order. This was the
   first time law enforcement officers have taken to the streets since the
   nationwide anti-government protests began last summer.

   "They are holding 6 months (of) salary they owe us, that's not good,
   it's not logical," a policeman told VOA Creole. "When we show up
   somewhere and say we are police, if we don't have a decent car to ride
   in they don't even believe us -- they take us for criminals because we
   aren't getting paid so we can't take care of ourselves."

   Another policeman draped in a Haitian flag and wearing a straw hat with
   Haiti printed in blue and red letters on it told VOA Creole they are
   defending rights guaranteed under the nation's constitution.

   "The constitution says we have the right to form a union, to defend our
   rights," he said. "We want to thank the civilians, our wives, friends
   and the people of Haiti who are out here with us protesting today. We
   also send a warning to the police officials to say that if they think
   they can fire us and continue mistreating us they are wrong. If that
   happens the entire country will be turned upside down."

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