Rapid Response Network

Tag: 800Gourdes

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

    Year End Goal: $2,000 to Fight Exploitation! <3

    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 and illegally fired for exercising their legal rights.

    • SOTA-BO members from Quality Sewing factory have been out of work since March – another clear case of union-busting! The Ministry of labor found their firings illegal, and said they should be rehired… but, the boss refuses to let them in to work.

    As the holidays approach, these workers and their families are hungry. They face losing their homes, as they cannot pay rent.

    One of the workers from Quality Sewing just had a baby. The spouse of a worker from SISA also just gave birth. They are struggling to raise infants with no wages.

    Workers with older children cannot send them to school. In Haiti, public schools are few and far between. So, private schools are the norm. Without income, these workers cannot pay school tuition. Their children are unable to take year end exams, and fall behind in school.

    This is all because factory owners refuse workers’ basic rights.

    "Workers Organize!"

     

    Support Illegally Fired Workers – Let’s Raise $2000 before 2018!

    Workers’ survival and very lives are being attacked simply, because they insist on basic rights – a decent wage that allows them to feed, house, clothe and educate themselves and their families.

    Let’s help SOTA-BO members get through the year end & continue to fight!

    It’s likely the best thing you can do with your money and your conscience this holiday season.

    If just 50 people contribute, $40 each, we can reach this goal.

    If you can’t donate $40, please give what you can.

    Every dollar adds up and carries a major impact for these workers.

    Stand with garment workers in their fight against exploitation!


    DONATE HERE.     *


    Thank you SO MUCH for your ongoing solidarity <3

    HAPPY HOLIDAYS.

    *The RRN is not a 501(c)3, so your donation is not tax deductible.

  • Port Au Prince: More Workers Get Organized

    Port Au Prince: More Workers Get Organized

    Thanks for your patience as we catch up on bringing you news and updates of Haitian garment workers’ struggles after Hurricane Irma. Most people in south Florida now have power restored, but Internet is another story.

    September 2, 2017 – the RRN received news that workers at MGA Haiti, SA – a garment factory in Port Au Prince – formed a new chapter of SOTA-BO union!

    SOTA-BO played a leading role in organizing the country-wide, three month long struggle for 800 Gourdes minimum wage. Union and non-union workers in Port Au Prince turned out in record numbers, unified in their demands. While workers did not achieve the 800 Gourdes, this is another positive result of those months of work. They are growing. They are more organized. They are determined.

    MGA Haiti, SA was one of the factories that actively pressured the Haitian government to halt workers’ mobilizations and protests for 800 Gourdes. In response to workers unionizing, MGA management banned workers from wearing their union t-shirts to work. They did so anyway.

    New SOTA-BO members from MGA factory
    New SOTA-BO members from MGA factory

    Haitian garment workers receive the lowest wage in the western hemisphere. Their wages are often consumed just by the transportation costs of getting to and from work. Most workers live in debt, and are often on the brink of hunger and homelessness.

    Production quotas are often set impossibly high. Factory owners and management do not respect the law, and often do not pay the existing minimum wage. Union members and organizers are constantly harassed and arbitrarily fired for exercising their legal rights.

    Currently, the corrupt Haitian government is also trying to extract a 13% wage tax from garment and other workers. They claim it is for social services provided. Meanwhile, access to electricity, clean water, decent roads, schools and hospitals does not exist.

    Haiti is in a state of crisis. These workers face a serious battle, but their organization continues to grow and strengthen. Students, peasants, street vendors & the poor are joining this movement, led by workers.

    The RRN stands in solidarity with this growing movement of workers and people fighting for their rights!

    Stay up to date with these struggles by following the RRN on Facebook, Twitter, and via email.

    #SolidarityForever <3

  • Goal Met! Workers Rehired!

    Goal Met! Workers Rehired!

    We’re a little behind on posting updates due to Hurricane Irma’s impact on south Florida.

    We’re waiting to hear back from our contacts about hurricane impacts to workers and organizations in the north, northwest and northeast of the country.

    Our thoughts are with those in the Caribbean and Florida who are still dealing with the aftermath of the storm.

    Meanwhile, we have a backlog of news and updates to share! Here’s the first.


    Goal Met. Workers Rehired.

    SOTA-BO organizers at Premium Apparel send thanks & solidarity!
    SOTA-BO organizers at Premium Apparel send thanks & solidarity!

    At the end of August, the RRN raised over $1200 to send to 40 workers at Premium Apparel factory, all members of SOTA-BO textile union, who were out of work. These workers were illegally fired for their integral role in the previous months’ wage struggles for 800 Gourdes/day (US$12.84).

    With this financial support, workers were able to stay afloat with the basic costs of living.

    All 40 workers have since been re-hired and are back to organizing for their rights.

    THANK YOU so much to everyone who contributed to make this possible!

    If you’d still like to make a financial contribution to support Haitian garment workers and their organizing efforts, there’s never a bad time to do so.

    Your contribution will be to provide meals to workers at meetings; to print leaflets; to help transport organizers; and to help deal illegal firings.

    Click here to donate.

    You can also stay up to date with these struggles by following the RRN on Facebook, Twitter, and via email.

    #SolidarityForever<3