16919: (Arthur) Haitian workers' rights violated as IFC decision looms (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Tttnhm@aol.com

Haitian workers' rights violated as IFC decision looms - News, 02 October,
2003 - Bretton Wooods Project, critical voices on the World Bank and IMF

http://www.brettonwoodsproject.org/article.shtml?cmd%5B126%5D=x-126-20154

The first factory in a new free trade zone along the Haitian-Dominican border
opened in August. Three hundred workers have been hired to assemble Levi's
Jeans in the first of three factories to be built by the Dominican company Grupo
M with support pending from the World Bank's private-sector arm, the
International Finance Corporation (IFC).

During the recent World Bank Annual Meetings in Dubai, labour union
representatives lobbied Peter Woicke, head of the IFC, for assurances that any support
would be given on the condition that Grupo M agreed to protect core labour
standards. Woicke committed to the application of the core labour standards to
future IFC loans and would "consider" their application to the pending Grupo M
case. Initially the IFC had expressed faith that the company's declared
intentions to respect employees' freedom of association and consumer reluctance to
buy "sweatshop" goods were sufficient guarantees.

Within weeks of the first factory opening, twenty workers have been fired for
asking for improved conditions. The Haitian NGO, Groupe d'Appui aux Rapatries
et Refugies, reports that employees have been forbidden to organise
themselves or discuss politics while inside the zone. Concerns for workers' rights have
increased following the July 16th report in the Haiti Progres newspaper that
Grupo M's private security force for the new free zone is headed by a
"renowned criminal".

Villardouin Joseph, a member of a local peasant farmers association, was
released from prison on 4 September. Joseph had been arrested by police on 22 May
for supposed involvement with resistance to the seizure of farmland for the
construction of the free trade zone. No paperwork relating to his arrest and
detention was presented to him, and during his three and half months in prison he
did not appear before any judge.

IFC decision pending on controversial Haiti free trade zone
http://www.brettonwoodsproject.org/article.shtml?cmd[126]=x-126-18671

Libération de M. Villardouin Joseph, Groupe d'Appui aux Rapatries et Refugies
http://garrhaiti.org/

Ouanaminthe Free Trade Zone Project, Haiti Support Group
http://www.haitisupport.gn.apc.org/zonefranche.html

Haiti Free Trade Zone Summary of Project Information, IFC
http://ifcln001.worldbank.org/IFCExt/spiwebsite1.nsf/528a55498a01feec85256d870
03822c1/9f06d27d61b3152a85256d19006a63f1

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