In an open letter to President Jovenel Moïse, the General Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), Sharan Burrow, who represents 332 national affiliated organizations in 163 countries and territories, informed by the Confederation of Haitian Workers, by the Confederation of Workers of the Public and Private Sectors and by the Haitian Trade Union Coordination, that "since April 20, 2020 the Haitian Government had authorized the reopening of factories in the textile sector" https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-30541-haiti-economy-pm-jouthe-announces-a-gradual-resumption-of-activities-in-the-textile-sector.html writes "[...] The ITUC is extremely concerned that today there dozens of people tested positive for Covid-19, so the situation has worsened as the garment factories are reopened […]

The ITUC is alarmed by the lack of appropriate measures to protect workers [read : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-30419-haiti-covid-19-list-of-factories-authorized-to-operate.html ] including transportation.

The crowd of workers in front of the factories is of great concern to the Confederation. It is unacceptable that the factories are reopened without planning the transportation of workers and their lunch while respecting barrier gestures, social distancing and all the generally general standards of WHO in the context of the pandemic [...]"< /I>

Fearing the spread of Covid-19 in the textile sector, the ITUC to avoid a health tragedy made several recommendations to President Moïse.

ITUC Recommendations :

"

• That the transportation of workers be planned by the government and the employers so that transportation can respect social distancing measures and barrier gestures;

• That a brigade be made up of labor inspectors and police to inspect the transportation of workers;

• That arrangements be made to enforce ILO Convention 81 on Labor Inspection, as well as the provisions of the Labor Code relating to labor inspection;

• That the National Old Age Insurance Office (ONA) give unemployment benefits to workers on technical unemployment;

• That the wages of all workers be protected

• That special measures be taken to ensure social distancing and the protection of pregnant women and other workers most at risk

• That the most representative unions be consulted before the implementation of any measure likely to have an impact on workers.

[...]

See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-30541-haiti-economy-pm-jouthe-announces-a-gradual-resumption-of-activities-in-the-textile-sector.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-30419-haiti-covid-19-list-of-factories-authorized-to-operate.html

HL/ HaitiLibre