Haiti is in the spotlight once again as global unions urge apparel brands sourcing in the country to intervene and ensure their suppliers reinstate union leaders and activists unions claim were unfairly dismissed last year following strikes to demand an increase in the minimum wage.
Global union IndustriAll and its affiliate GOSTTRA are calling on Gildan Activewear, Hunt Wilson International and Edwards Garment to insist that their suppliers, Sewing International SA (SISA) and Interamerican Wovens (IW), where GOSTTRA is present, reinstate the dismissed workers with back pay.
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The unions claim 48 union leaders and members – including 13 from GOSTTRA – have yet to be reinstated following strikes by thousands of garment workers in May of last year who took to the streets to demand a minimum wage that would enable them to support their families.
In a letter, IndustriAll general secretary, Valter Sanches, referred to the findings of a special investigation carried out by the ILO’s Better Work programme into the circumstances surrounding the dismissals at four factories. Among other recommendations, the report calls for the reinstatement of SISA and IW workers who were fired as a direct result of the strike action, according to IndustriAll.
Sanches also reminded the buyers that, in line with OECD standards, they have a responsibility to promote responsible employment by identifying, preventing and mitigating labour rights risks in their supply chains and by providing for, or cooperating, in remediation where appropriate. They must also involve workers at every stage of this process.
“Multinational brands rely on workers in their supply chains to produce their goods, and they must be accountable for how those workers are treated,” he said.
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