Again we are compelled to ask for your solidarity with workers in Haiti who are victims of anti-union repression.
First of all, we would like to thank you for the actions of support and solidarity that you have already undertaken in the fight for the reinstatement of the unionists who were fired from their jobs for simply exercising their trade union activities in the Export Processing Zones (EPZs) of Haiti.
These actions -- combined with the mobilization of Haitian organizations and their appeals to the Ministry of Social Affairs and the Ministry of Justice -- have imposed some concessions on the part of the bosses in the EPZs, even if they have not yet led to the reinstatement of all the fired workers.
Today our comrades in Haiti alert us to a resurgence of acts of anti-union repression over the past weeks against their organizations and activists.
These include the following:
- Katia Paredes Moreno, representative in Haiti of the International Trade Union Confederation - Trade Union Confederation of the Americas (TUCA-CSA), informs us that, "11 members of the MGA (SONAPI-PAP) union local in a EPZ in Port-au-Prince have been fired for their trade union activity." She continues: "This is a call to action to ensure that such violations do not remain unheeded; it is a call to uphold the freedom of association so that these workers can work and live in dignity."
- Batay Ouvryé informs us of the refusal by management at the S&H Globald enterprise in the Caracol EPZ to recognize the union affiliated with Batay Ouvryé in the factory. They add, "Management of S&H Global sought to intimidate our comrades when they formed a delegation to raise their appeal for union recognition; in fact these comrades were threatened with dismissal for their action!"
- The CATH [Autonomous Confederation of Haitian Workers] launched a new appeal demanding the reinstatement of Ms. Jean Telina, treasurer of SYNOTHAG-CATH.
All these are violations of the Haitian Labor Code and of Conventions 87 and 98 of the International Labor Organization (ILO), both of which have been ratified by the Haitian State.
In the name of international labor solidarity, in the name of democracy, and on behalf of the rights of workers and of the people of Haiti to fight for their legitimate demands and for the defense of their unions, we are asking for your support.
We send you our militant greetings.
In solidarity,
Robert Fabert,
for the Association of Workers and Peoples of the Caribbean
(Atpc-caraibe@orange.fr)
* * * * *
We call on you to send the following message to the authorities in Haiti:
"NO TO THE REPRESSION OF THE TRADE UNIONS!
SOLIDARITY WITH THE WORKERS OF HAITI!"
We, the undersigned, strongly condemn the violations of the right of workers in Haiti to form the unions of their choice and to exercise their trade union activities.
We call on the authorities in Haiti to ensure that trade union rights are fully respected in their country.
We demand the reinstatement of all workers who were fired or laid-off for their union activity, and we call for an end to the discrimination, prosecution, harassment and intimidation of Haitian workers and union activists.
We are at the side of the Haitian people in their struggle for basic rights.
The letters should be sent to:
(1) M. Martelly, President of the Republic of Haiti,
By regular mail: National Palace, Avenue de la République, Champs de Mars, Port-au-Prince, Haïti.
By email: paracommunications@presidentmartelly.ht
(2) Marie-France Mondesir, Ministry of Social Affairs and Director of Labor Affairs,
Charles Sumner Avenue, Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
Email: mfrance11@yahoo.fr
Tel: 00 (509) 36 42 25 75
Fax: (509) 23 80 84
(3) Richard Lavallee, Coordinator, Better Work Haiti: lavallee@betterwork.org
(4) Ms. Josseline Colimon Fethiere, Office of Mediation: Email: josselinefethiere@yahoo.com
(5) M. Henri-Claude Muller, Poitevien, CTMO-HOt, Representative of Prime Minister: PE President
Email: ctmo.hope@gmail.com
colorama_haiti @ yahoo.com
Please send copies to: atpc-caraibe@orange.fr and to ilcinfo@earthlink.net
~
Lawond a Travayè é Pèp an Karayib'la
Association des Travailleurs et des Peuples de la Caraïbe
Association of Workers and Peoples of the Caribbean
Asociación de los Trabajadores y de los Pueblos del Caribe
Guadeloupe, February 25, 2013
~
- URGENT: Solidarity Needed with Haitian Trade Unions and Workers!, ILC, 03/14/2013
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