21795: Esser: Delegation attends workers conference in Haiti (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: D. Esser torx@joimail.com

Workers World
http://www.workers.org

May 10, 2004

In defiance of U.S. occupation
North American delegation attend workers conference in Haiti

By Johnnie Stevens and Sharon Black
Port-au-Prince, Haiti

The great poet William Cullen Bryant was quoted as saying "truth
crushed to earth will rise again." This certainly applies to the
situation of Haiti and its workers, despite the almost complete media
blockade and distortion of the recent coup in that country and the
forced exile of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide.

In late April-early May a delegation of U.S. and Canadian union,
community, and religious activists traveled to Haiti to break this
blockade and gather information about current conditions for Haitian
workers. They were invited to attend the conference of the
Confederation of Haitian Workers and participate in May Day
activities.

Some members of the nine-person delegation were also involved in
setting up an "accompaniment project." The project's purpose is to
escort and protect those who are now facing death threats or torture
because of their support for Aristide and opposition to the coup.

The delegation included: Dave Welsh, a San Francisco Labor Council
delegate who helped to pass a resolution condemning the coup;
Baltimore City Council member Dr. Kwame O. Abayomi; Johnnie Stevens,
International Action Center activist and co-founder of Labor for Repa
rations; Michael Zinzun, director of the Los Angeles- based
Coalition Against Police Abuse; Kevin Skerrett from the research
office of the Canadian Union of Public Employees, Canada's biggest
union; Dr. Adrianne Aron, a clinical psychologist; Charlie Hinton of
the Printers Union from the San Francisco Bay Area; and Sharon Black
Ceci, Food and Commercial Workers Local 27 steward and Maryland
organizer for the ANSWER coalition.

Conference exposes horrendous conditions

The Confederation of Haitian Workers (CTH) is Haiti's biggest labor
organization, representing manufacturing, transportation, port,
agriculture, construction, education and many other workers. Hundreds
of representatives from different areas in Haiti participated in the
CTH conference. Debate was passionate and serious as union delegates
grappled with developing a strategy on how to proceed in an
environment that is now hostile and threatening.

CTH Secretary General Paul Loulou Chery has tremendous charisma and
energy. He is serious and determined but has a kind, friendly manner
that makes everyone around him feel respected and loved. He speaks
with tremendous anger about Andy Apaid, a sweatshop owner who is
blocking unionization and a member of The 184 Group that plotted the
coup against President Aristide.

The workers of Haiti suffer horribly in the so-called Free Trade Zone
and in the sweatshops. Workers are denied water and food rations.
Wages are set at the minimum--approximately $1.90 a day. Those who
want to join unions are beaten or fired.

The problem of contract workers adds to the difficulties of
unionizing. For instance, in the factories now running, 35 workers
out of 500 are permanent. The vast majority are now temporary
workers. Workers only receive two to three vacation days.

National Committee of Women Work ers President Ginette Apoloon speaks
with strength and conviction. She told us that health care is
virtually absent for workers. Cash payment is required.

In contrast, she said, "Under the Aristide administration there were
plans for health-care insurance that paid 50 percent of costs."

She emphasized that the union movement should demand an end to the
sexual abuse of women on the job. Women should not be compromised.

Reports are also circulating that Andy Apaid is negotiating to buy
the state-owned telephone company, Teleco, and privatize the system.

The level of frustration among the Haitian people is extremely high.
Seventy percent of Haiti's population is unemployed. Rice has now
doubled in price.

While most Haitians formerly ate one meal a day, it is now reported
that people are eating only three times a week. This was repeated by
almost everyone the delegation interviewed.

It is clear that the coup and occupation have not brought stability
or a better life for the workers, peasants and poor of Haiti.

Murders, jail, reprisals, and threats continue

A young student discussed how she lost her student status because of
her support for Lavalas. "Many students are now in hiding. They have
been beaten up and raped", she said.

The Federation of Public Transport Workers took the delegation to
the site of the union's cooperative to show buses that had been
burned and destroyed on the evening of the coup. The union's offices
were ransacked and their guard overpowered. Julien Atanaze, the first
delegate of the union, appealed directly for support from U.S.
workers.

Without concern for his own personal safety, he had returned from
Miami to defend the union.

In the northern part of Haiti, delegates interviewed Milot Mayor
Moises Jean-Charles. He is the also a leader in the peasant movement.
He testified about murders and torture in the weeks that preceded the
coup.

This area is under the command of Guy Phillipe. People had been
rounded up and killed. Hundreds of bodies were reported to have
washed up on the shore. Others were locked in shipping containers and
denied food and water.

He told us that many Lavalas supporters fled to the mountains. He
also fled. Milot asked, "Where did they [the so-called rebels] get
the money for helicopters and planes?"

He also remarked, "The Haitian elite also gives a lot of money to the
rebels."

In the Cap Haitien area, Cuban doctors have remained to practice
medicine. There are 556 Cuban medical personnel in Haiti. Despite
dire conditions they continue to provide care to the people free of
charge under a Cuban plan that provides solidarity.

As resistance continues, CTH holds May Day Rally

With U.S. troops patrolling just a block away, the CTH held a defiant
May Day rally.

It was clear to U.S. and Canadian delegates that the U.S. troops
dominated their Haitian counterparts. They were more numerous. They
conducted the checks at the intersection.

According to eyewitness reports, U.S. military personnel have killed
six people. But there have been no arrests or actions against the
U.S. forces.

In one case a person was using a cell phone and was shot to death. In
another incident, a Haitian driver who spoke only Creole did not heed
a command to stop and was gunned down.

Workers gathered to hear speeches and commemorated May Day by
pledging to strengthen their union movement. They see the fight
against the coup and international solidarity as the key.

At the rally, U.S. delegates sang "Soli darity Forever" with fervor
and meaning. Haitian workers cheered.

One Haitian worker summed up the anger that is felt so deeply. He
repeated with conviction and pain: "This is a shame! This is a shame!
We just celebrated 200 years of independence and now we are occupied
by the U.S. and French military."

He continued: "1804 means a lot of things to Black people. It is a
model of freedom. The coup means shame!"

Future in-depth reports, including a special interview with Haiti
Progres and PPN, will follow.

Reprinted from the May 13, 2004, issue of Workers World newspaper


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