Thousands of Garment Workers Are Protesting in Haiti Right Now

In Port-Au-Prince, Haiti, thousands of garment workers are currently in the streets protesting for higher wages and better conditions. According to reporting from Reuters, workers are asking for $15 a day - they are now making $5 per day for full-time (and sometimes overtime) work. Dominque St Eloi, the coordinator for the National Union of Haitian Workers, told the outlet, "With 500 gourdes per day, without any government subsidies, we cannot meet our needs while the price of basic goods, transport costs have increased."

Workers at the factories in Haiti are making clothing for Gildan, Walmart, Target and other major brands. Earlier this month, many walked out of their jobs in the first wave of protests. They have continued to demand change in the weeks since.

One protester told Democracy Now, "It is not normal that the U.S. clothing retailers are earning millions while I am paid in cents. It makes no sense. We are giving our blood."

Throughout the pandemic, garment workers worldwide have been calling attention to the unbelievable disparities between worker pay and revenue that the brands bring in. Even if the brands do not own these factories, they need to be held responsible for their entire supply chain including the workers who are not making a living wage.

This story is ongoing and will be updated.

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