Amnesty International calls for union rights in new free trade zone

From Haiti Support Group, 17 December 2003

On the eve of Haiti’s Bicentennial celebrations, Amnesty International has called on companies operating in garment assembly factories in the new free zone in Ouanaminthe in north-east Haiti to respect workers’ rights.

Extract from Haiti: Human rights and the Bicentennial—a 10-point action plan issued by Amnesty International on 17 December 2003:

On the eve of the 200th anniversary of Haitian independence on 1 January 2004, Amnesty International urges that the actions outlined in this 10-point programme, aimed at government authorities, political leaders, civil society groups and members of the international community, be taken immediately and throughout 2004 to ensure protection for the basic human rights of Haitian citizens.(...)

LABOUR AND TRADE UNION RIGHTS

The right to work, to just and favourable work conditions and to form and join unions (art. 23, UDHR)

9. Companies in the new Free Trade Zone on the border of Ouanaminthe, Haiti with the Dominican Republic must publicly commit to respecting international standards for the conditions of their workers, including the right to unionise. Haitian and Dominican authorities must publicly promise to protect their citizens employed in the Zone by seeing that the standards are enforced.