Rapid Response Network

Year End Goal: $2,000 to Fight Exploitation!

Just $530 Left to Raise Before Midnight! We can do this. CLICK HERE TO DONATE <3 Illegally Fired Workers Face Hunger & Homelessness From May to July, 2017, SOTA-BO textile union led garment workers across Haiti in monumental mobilizations for an increased minimum wage. In the wake of these efforts, many of these union members were arbitrarily

SOTA-BO Celebrates 6 Years!

September 15, 2017 marked the sixth anniversary of SOTA-BO – an independent textile union, based in Port Au Prince, Haiti and affiliated with the Batay Ouvriye (Workers Fight) movement! Since their start in 2011, the union has grown in numbers and strength! Workers with this union were instrumental in leading the country-wide, three month fight for

Ounaminthe: No Services? No Taxes!

In preparation for and in the wake of hurricane Irma, we’ve gotten behind in sharing updates with you. Here’s an important update from garment workers of in the north of Haiti, in the town of Ounaminthe, who continue their fight against an unjust wage tax. August 30 2017 – Garment workers took the streets to

SOTA-BO: Regroup & Onward!

The RRN extends MASSIVE thanks to all who have supported Haitian garment workers in their fight for 800 Gourdes minimum wage. Thanks in part to the pressure applied through international solidarity, workers were able to mobilize for three months, making significant gains in the level of their struggle. Workers turned out in record numbers, unified

Pressure Works! Fairway Workers Rehired.

Last week, the RRN reported that National Police shot at workers with real bullets to break up a small protest at Fairway Apparel textile factory in Port Au Prince, Haiti. Three workers were severely injured. Many were hurt, including a pregnant woman. A representative of Batay Ouvriye was beaten. Workers were protesting an increased production quota, imposed

Workers Shot. Union Busting. Action NOW.

Saturday, 07.15.17 – Port Au Prince, Haiti –  National Police shot at workers with real bullets to break up a small protest at Fairway Apparel textile factory. Three workers were severely injured. Many were hurt, including a pregnant woman. A representative of Batay Ouvriye was beaten. Workers were protesting an increased production quota, imposed by

Action NOW. Haitian Senate Sides w/Workers. 800 Gourdes!

Workers this is not the way the country should be! Students, this is not the way the country should be! Poor people, this is not the way the country should be! Street vendors, this is not the way the country should be! These are the chants that rang out when students, street vendors and the

UPDATE: Workers Face National Police in Full Force

Port au Prince, Haiti – Monday, 07.10.17 – This morning, garment workers were met by national police in full force, both inside and outside, the Sonapi Industrial Park. Workers scheduled to gather at Sonapi before taking the streets again today, to march for a minimum wage adjustment of 800 Gourdes (US$12.80). Last week, in a

No Union Busting! Call for Action from Haiti.

* Updated Thursday, 06.29.17 Haitian garment workers have been striking and demonstrating for a minimum wage adjustment from 300 Gourdes (just under US $5) to 800 Gourdes/day (about US $12) since May. Despite the fact that workers are exercising their legal right to organize, factory owners are union busting in an effort to isolate and

Updates + Gildan, We Won't Back Down.

THANK YOU SO MUCH for the incredible show of solidarity for Haitian garment workers and their fight for 800 Gourdes minimum wage! SOTA, SOKOWA and SOVGH (textile unions affiliated with Batay Ouvriye) say that our international pressure is working! This is why police began taking and destroying workers’ phones. They are used to operating with impunity, but they