March 3rd, 2004
Urgent Action Alert - Union-Busting at the CODEVI Free Trade Zone (Ouanaminthe, Haiti) / “Rebel Army Already Using Weapons in Bosses' Defense! !
On Monday March 2nd, 2004, 34 SOKOWA (Sendika Ouvriye Kodevi Wanament - Ouanaminthe Codevi Workers' Union) members at the Codevi Free Trade Zone in Ouanaminthe, Haïti, were brutalized and illegally fired by the company’s management and told to come take their paychecks next Monday, March 8th. These firings were accompanied by many threats at gunpoint, as well as physical abuse.
This situation followed a tumultuous two weeks, both in Haiti, rocked by political events, and at the Ouanaminthe free trade zone:
- On Feb. 16th, the new trade union handed management a letter in which they informed it of the union’s existence and requested a meeting to discuss factory matters. On the same day, Limbert Cruz, the Codevi Director, answered the letter expressing that management’s doors were always opened for the workers organization, and their agreement to meet with the union at any convenient date and place. (The union would concert later concerning this letter and prepare an answer Feb. 26th suggesting March 1st for this meeting)
- On Wednesday, February 25th, a few workers were informally discussing with members of management (Jean Renaud, Luis and Jean Philippe) when, following a complaint by one of the unionists, Ariel Jerome, the latter was informed that he was fired. Protesting, he was violently beaten up with rifle butts and forced to give up his work badge.
- Thursday, Feb. 26th, all of the factory workers stopped working in protest, demanding Ariel Jerome’s reintegration at work, medical treatment, as well as the firing of the two main management persons responsible: Jean Renaud and Borgella. Limbert Cruz came out to talk to them and agreed to cancel the firing and take care of the abused worker’s health. Indeed, Jerome was returned his badge and sent to the health center for tests and medication. Cruz, however, added he needed consultations concerning the two management employees.
- No answer would come. Quite the contrary, on Monday morning (March 1st), Jean Renaud passed throughout the factory, line by line, informing the workers that Levi Strauss was removing orders, amongst other reasons because of the workers work stops. That they were losing contracts and consequently needed to get rid of workers. Rumor had it that he said before losing his job, he would have many lose their jobs. Monday afternoon, Renaud called all of the union members and, with much pressure, informed them they were fired. Dominican military pointed their weapons at the workers and seized their badges. Several were roughed up. All in all, 34 were fired, all union members. The workers resolved to stop working on Tuesday, in protest.
- On Tuesday, March 3rd, all of the workers were mobilized to protest the firings. All of a sudden, members of the “rebel” army at Ouanaminthe arrived, in arms, to rough up the workers. Several workers were handcuffed. After numerous mistreatments and threats, they were forced to resume work. Later, the rebels would reveal that they were contacted the previous evening by factory management who informed them that the workers were going to “give problems” at work the next day. Management even gave them a list of union members that they were to get rid of.
It is possible that more firings have occurred this morning, Wednesday March 3, 2004, as the workers continue to be determined to mobilize in order to counteract management’s arbitrary and unjust actions.
Batay Ouvriye is urgently soliciting each and all’s input in our effort to force Grupo M back on its decision before next Monday, especially as all government offices (Labor Bureau, Justice…) in Ouanaminthe continue to be closed. Please write:
- Grupo M (mcapellan@grupom.com.do, fcapellan@grupom.com.do, lcruz@grupom.com.do),
- Levi-Strauss (mrodriguez@levi.com)
- the World Bank’s International Finance Corporation (bmcnamara@ifc.org, mconstantine@ifc.org),
- the press
- and all other form of pressure possible.
In solidarity,
Yannick Etienne
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