Victory for Unionized Workers in Haiti!

Codevi Workers Achieve an Agreement -- Thank you for your support in this campaign!

[this news release was translated by Charles Arthur from the Haiti Support Group]
Posted Feb. 17, 2005

Haiti: Agreement between managers and workers at the Ouanaminthe free trade zone

Port-au-Prince, 8 February 2005 [AlterPresse] --- An agreement between the Compagnie de Développement Industriel (CODEVI) and the SOKOWA workers' union has brought an end to an eight month long labor dispute at the Ouanaminthe free trade zone (FTZ) in the north-east.

According to the document seen by Alterpresse, the main points of the agreement between the company and the Free Trade Zone union concern the re-hiring of the workers dismissed last June, recognition of union rights, the creation of a joint management-worker commission and a solidarity fund, and the establishment of collective bargaining agreement.

CODEVI has accepted the immediate re-instatement (before 12 February) of Borgella Telor, Gérard Jean Charles, Dieudonné Paul, Willy Jean and Georges Maces, five union leaders fired during the June 2004 conflict. The document states that these workers will receive back-pay for the period since their dismissal and will not lose the benefits of their seniority.

The agreement stipulates that over 150 other dismissed workers will be progressively re-hired. A support and solidarity fund for dismissed workers awaiting reemployment will be created and funded by a variety of sources to be contacted by the two parties. [Contributions given by CLR supporters will be sent to this fund. If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation, please send a check (made out to: CLR/AFGJ with the word SOKOWA in the memo line) to 1247 E St. SE, Washington, DC, 20003.]

In the framework of the agreement, CODEVI recognizes SOKOWA and guarantees all its members full union rights. The company agrees not to use armed force in labor disputes and to respect the human rights of all workers.

The union and the company agreed to establish a permanent dialogue in the form of a joint commission composed of three representatives of each party.

The agreement between CODEVI and SOKOWA also proposes the drafting, discussion and signature of a collective agreement within six months, establishing workers' rights and conditions.

The negotiations that concluded with the agreement on February 5 were lead by two mediators - a Haitian and a Dominican lawyer - who were assisted by numerous Haitians and Dominicans, including a representative of the Haitian human rights sector.