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Haiti - FLASH : Customs agents strike, manufactures close and send back their workers
08/03/2018 07:29:58

Following the strike started Monday, March 5 by customs agents throughout the national territory https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-23734-icihaiti-strike-200-million-loss-of-revenue-per-day-for-the-state.html who protest against the non-respect of the commitments of the Moïse-Lafontant government signed in October 2017 https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-22349-haiti-politics-customs-officers-accept-a-truce.html relating in particular to an increase of 80% of wages and a special status of customs officers, the Jude Alix Patrick Solomon, the Minister of the Economy refuted these accusations.

He confirms that the Government respects its commitments concerning the special status of customs agents and the salary adjustment, but recognizes a delay in their applications.

Regarding the special status of customs agents he explains that the delay in publication in the official newspaper "Le Moniteur" scheduled for 21 January (additional time granted by customs officers on 1 March), is attributable to the verification by the Office of Management and of Human Resources (OMRH) of the status of each agents according to the framework law of the civil service. Regarding the salary adjustment, he recalled that a first 40% increase has already been paid to the customs sector and announced Tuesday that he would have discussions with representatives of customs agents.

A strike that is not inconsequential, in addition to the significant shortfall for the Treasury for each day of uncollected customs revenue https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-23734-icihaiti-strike-200-million-loss-of-revenue-per-day-for-the-state.html , 6 companies in the subcontracting (mainly in the textile sector) have already closed their doors since Tuesday faults having been able to clear their raw materials and to send back the workers...

Other sectors are affected, such as perishable products that are stuck at customs and are starting to rot and will cause losses to businesses.

Moreover, on Wednesday, at 8:00 am Customs agents closed the border between Ounaminthe and Dajabón to support their movement of demand, blocking dozens of workers who cross the border daily and a Dominican delegation from the consulate of Ounaminthe. Although members of the Border Police (PoliFront) were present at the door closed by a chain and a padlock placed by the demonstrators on the Haitian side, the agents did not intervene to resolve the situation. No incidents or arrests have been reported.

SL/ HaitiLibre