Disney Company rips-off Haitian workers

Issue 

Disney Company rips-off Haitian workers

PORT-AU-PRINCE — Fourteen factories in Haiti produce garments and toys under for various Disney labels. Workers are paid just half of the minimum living wage in Haiti. Salaries range from US$0.28c to $0.39c an hour, equivalent to $11.20 to $15.60 per week. Workers are forced to work at an inhuman rate, suffer constant verbal abuse and threats of the sack. The majority of workers are women. They are subjected to constant sexual harassment from their supervisors.

On May 12, a leaflet protesting these abusive conditions and calling for workers to organise to defend their rights was circulated anonymously inside the L.V. Miles factory. L.V. Miles is one of the Disney Company's main contractors in Haiti.

In retaliation, management singled out a worker and sacked her, even though she was not involved in the distribution of the leaflets. That same week, three other workers were fired and a systematic campaign of intimidation began. Management threatened 40 more workers with the sack.

"By using such repressive tactics, management is clearly trying to illegally stop the workers from organising to defend their rights and to root out all suspected militant workers from the plant", the Disney/Haiti Justice Campaign said on May 18.

"Such incidents must be met with strong actions of protest and solidarity in Haiti and elsewhere every time it occurs. We call upon our brothers and sisters in the struggle to support our fight against the management of L.V. Miles in Haiti and [the Disney Company] in the USA", the campaign said.

If you like our work, become a supporter

Green Left is a vital social-change project and aims to make all content available online, without paywalls. With no corporate sponsors or advertising, we rely on support and donations from readers like you.

For just $5 per month get the Green Left digital edition in your inbox each week. For $10 per month get the above and the print edition delivered to your door. You can also add a donation to your support by choosing the solidarity option of $20 per month.

Freecall now on 1800 634 206 or follow the support link below to make a secure supporter payment or donation online.