On November 7, the Collective Textile Factory Union (KOSIT) organized a march from the CODEVI Free Trade Zone, through various popular neighborhoods in the area, to the center of Ouanaminthe. More than 8000 workers took to the street demanding 500 gourdes ($11.50/day), a pittance. Workers also demanded free transportation, lunch room, health care and retirement.

This is one of many mobilizations taking place around discussion of wages in Haiti. It is part of the effort to counteract the State Wage Council, where the bourgeoisie and the state seek to immediately reduce wages, to push us further down to downright disguised slavery!

When we arrived at the central plaza, there were more than 8000 people! We called out “500 gourdes! 500 gourdes! 500 gourdes!” so that the authorities are clear about what we want, what we need as a minimum to live. This minimum of 500 gourdes is in fact not even enough to meet our needs; it must also be accompanied by a range of possible supplements,
such as transportation, a cafeteria, medical care, pensions… so we can ensure that we can live, even if only at a minimum.

We know that the bourgeoisie is ruthless, and a reactionary state will always deny our satisfaction, and so our struggle is necessary to help us win.

The struggle has just begun!
Pick up our strength to take it to the next level!
Down with the blood-thirsty bourgeoisie!
Down with domination and repression by their reactionary state!
Long live the working class!
Work, YES! Slavery, NO!