This Stuff
Subscribe
Cover photo

Thousands of Garment Workers Are Protesting in Haiti Right Now

"It is not normal that the U.S. clothing retailers are earning millions while I am paid in cents," one worker said.

Alyssa Hardy

Feb 18
2

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.

*This Stuff is a newsletter by me! fashion journalist, Alyssa Hardy. Three times a week, I unpack the ways our clothes impact the world through news, essays, interviews and more. Subscribe for free here and follow me on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.*

Subscribe to This Stuff
By subscribing, you agree to share your email address with Alyssa Hardy to receive their original content, including promotions. Unsubscribe at any time. Meta will also use your information subject to the Bulletin Terms and Policies
2

More from This Stuff
See all

Welcome to "This Stuff"

If you know, you know.
Sep 8, 2021
1
2

Premium Subscriber Only Round Up #10

A weekly curation just for you.
May 27

3 Important News Stories That Are Impacting Fashion Right Now

Fashion is not just about clothing, and this week, three major news stories from around the world are proof of that. Here is what you need to know.
May 26
Comments
Subscribe with Facebook to comment

2 Comments

  • Umazi Mvurya
    SMH..... Like all they are asking for is $15/day which I think is still a ridiculously small amount of money , but regardless, the fact that adding $10 is an issue I just can't!
    • 13w
    • Author
      Alyssa Hardy
      exactly! they are putting their lives on the line to ask for basic living wages.
      • 13w
Share quoteSelect how you’d like to share below
Share on Facebook
Share to Twitter
Send in Whatsapp
Share on Linkedin
Privacy  ·  Terms  ·  Cookies
© Meta 2022
Discover fresh voices. Tune into new conversations. Browse all publications