14815: Arthur re: Increasing Minimum Wage (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Tttnhm@aol.com

In one of the government of Haiti's Issue Papers we read:
"In 1994, after democracy was restored to Haiti, President Aristide once again responded to the cries of Haiti's workers for an increase in the minimum wage.  President Aristide was committed to raising the minimum wage to 72 gourdes but after lengthy dialogue with the labor unions, domestic and
foreign employers doing business in Haiti, the international community, interest groups, and the public and private sector, the bill that finally went before Parliament raised the wage to 36 gourdes a day, which represented US$2.40 at that time."

"On February 7, 2003 President Aristide announced consent on an increase to 70 gourdes."


Charles Arthur writes:
In 1994/55 Aristide wanted a minimum wage of 72 gourdes but settled at 36 gourdes representing US$2.40.
In 2003 Aristide settles at a minimum wage of 70 gourdes representing US$1.75 (or is that now $1.40?)

Where is the progress on this one? Without even thinking about the collapse of the gourde against the dollar, it seems that while 72 gourdes was good in 94/95, eight years later, 70 gourdes is supposed to be OK?

I wouldn't have thought that this was something to boast about...........