Following the demonstrations of textile workers in Haiti claiming a significant increase in the minimum wage, interspersed with acts of violence and vandalism having led to the closure of factories not wanting suffer the same fate, https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-17434-haiti-economy-adih-scandalized-by-the-blockage-of-the-textile-sector.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-17424-haiti-economy-thousands-of-textile-workers-took-to-the-streets.html the United States Department of Labor (USDOL) reacted and issued the following statement :

"The U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) has received reports that minimum wage protests in and around the SONAPI Metropolitan Industrial Park on May 11, 2016, may have included acts of violence, intimidation, and destruction of property.

Under the HOPE II Act, USDOL works closely with Better Work Haiti, the Office of the Labor Ombudsperson, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor, and other stakeholders to promote improved working conditions and respect for workers' rights in Haiti's apparel sector, including the right of workers to advocate for their interests through legitimate and peaceful means.

Criminal acts, including violence, are not protected under international principles of freedom of association and the right to strike.

USDOL does not support any such acts and encourages all parties involved in the present conflict to engage in meaningful and peaceful social dialogue."

See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-17424-haiti-economy-thousands-of-textile-workers-took-to-the-streets.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-17434-haiti-economy-adih-scandalized-by-the-blockage-of-the-textile-sector.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-13758-haiti-economy-increase-of-minimum-wage-in-the-textile-sector.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-11053-haiti-politic-minimum-wage-demonstration-this-may-1st.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-10972-haiti-economy-everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-new-minimum-wage.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-11003-haiti-politic-minimum-wage-css-work-is-just-beginning.html

HL/ HaitiLibre