Workers Protest Rising Fuel Costs

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — More than 1,000 workers organized a protest Monday in Haiti’s capital to demand a higher minimum wage as the conflict in Iran deepens, driving up oil prices. Workers at the state-owned Metropolitan Industrial Park, informally known as Sonapi, gathered outside its gates in Port-au-Prince and shouted, “When we are hungry, we don’t mess around!” Employees noted that they haven’t had a raise since 2023 and can no longer afford basic goods after diesel prices rose by 37% and gasoline prices by 29% earlier this month.

Wages Struggle Against Living Costs

“A gallon of gas is higher than our minimum daily wage,” said Marc Jean Jean-Pierre, a 47-year-old father of two children. He earns 685 Haitian gourdes ($5.23) a day making jeans, while gasoline costs 850 gourdes ($6.49) per gallon. To cope, he now walks an hour to work instead of paying for transportation. “You can see what we’re going through,” he said, adding, “We will be in the street until the government hears our voice.”

Growing Frustration Among Workers

Maxime Excellence, a 49-year-old factory janitor, said rising transport costs and food insecurity are making survival difficult. “On top of it, I have to eat. I can’t spend the whole day not eating,” he said. Workers like James Cardichon echoed frustration, calling for better wages and improved working conditions. “We need a revolution for them to understand,” he said, adding, “We are leaving our sweat behind.” He also pointed to gang violence driving up transportation costs and worsening daily hardships.

Broader Crisis Fuels Public Anger

Some protesters not affiliated with the industrial park joined to voice wider concerns about Haiti’s deepening crisis. Garry Jean Paul, a street vendor, said rising oil prices are worsening poverty and instability. “Some days I make a couple hundred gourdes, some days I have to go home with nothing,” he said. “Families are doing things they are not supposed to be doing. They are begging.” Protesters say they are tired of promises and demand immediate action from the government.