By: HaitiAnalysis.com

The Confederation of Haitian Workers (CTH) has declared its critical support for the HOPE II initiative which they believe will bring trade union jobs to Haiti. CTH General Secretary Paul Loulou Chery, who sits on a labor-government panel organizing for the program, says that Haiti is in desperate need of jobs and stability. Chery adds that the support is critical though, contingent upon the protection of worker rights and how the act is instituted.

The HOPE act would provide tariff-free access to the United States market for apparel made in Haiti, and supporters say it could energize companies to set up shop in Haiti, meaning more jobs for Haiti's desperate economy.

Chery spoke in support of HOPE at a recent packed meeting in Port-au-Prince attended by Prime Minister Jacques Edouard Alexis.

While supporting the Préval/Alexis HOPE plan to bring more garment jobs into the country, the CTH has urged a hardline stance against privatization.

Préval announced over the summer of 2007 that Téléco (Telecommunications of Haiti), ED'H (Electricity of Haiti), and the APN (National Port Authority) would be subject to privatization.

In recent months CTH officials say that they have increased organizing efforts with public sector workers to oppose the state privatization plans.

CTH is well known across poor neighborhoods and rural areas in Haiti for its grassroots organizing. During the interim government period in Haiti (2004-2006) the CTH came under a sustained campaign of violence after refusing to support the 2004 ouster of Haiti's elected government.

The ability of trade unionists to organize has improved under Préval, say CTH organizers, but the rising cost of living and natural disasters has hit its membership hard. The labor confederation, along with other grassroots trade unionists, are advocating for Haiti to increase national production both in its industry and rural economy.

Chery, speaking late last year, said that human rights workers and the solidarity community at large should do all they can to help make sure the rights of Haitian workers are respected and actively monitored in any new factories. Haiti continues to be in need of a strengthened and well-enforced labor code as well as a heightened minimum wage.