Haiti witnessed mass demonstrations on Tuesday as hundreds of factory employees took to the streets of the capital demanding higher minimum wages, with rising global oil prices linked to tensions in the Middle East intensifying economic pressure.
It marked the second consecutive day that workers at the state-run Metropolitan Industrial Park in Port-au-Prince assembled, chanting: “When we are hungry, we don’t mess around!”
At present, factory employees earn 685 Haitian gourdes just over five US dollars per day.
Meanwhile, the cost of fuel has surged, with a gallon of gasoline now priced at around 850 gourdes, equivalent to nearly $6.50.
Workers say their wages have remained unchanged since 2023, despite rising living costs.
“I’m here because I’m getting paid 685 gourdes, and I cannot live on this,” said factory worker Roselainne Jean. “I get paid on Friday, and by Saturday, I am already borrowing money. We are demanding a minimum wage of 3,000 gourdes.”
That proposed increase would equal roughly $22 per day.
Fuel costs surge
Earlier this month, the government of Haiti raised diesel prices by 37% and petrol prices by 29%, with officials attributing the increases largely to the war in Iran. Transport fares have doubled, while essential supply chains have been significantly disrupted.
“This is the second day we have come out to demand that the government lower oil prices and raise the minimum wage,” said union representative Pierre Télémarque. “We also need more social support.”
Another worker, Willy Badio, explained that after deductions and taxes, his take-home pay falls to around 500 gourdes daily, barely enough to afford transportation.
Haiti, recognised as the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, is among the hardest hit by rising global fuel prices, with analysts warning that the situation could deepen into a worsening humanitarian crisis.