By RÉALITÉ INFO, April 9, 2026
The announcement came as a shock. Following a press conference held in the municipality of Pétion-Ville this Thursday, several of the country's labor unions officially announced a three-day strike, starting next Monday, to protest the rise in fuel prices, insecurity, and to demand an urgent increase in the minimum wage.
Behind this mobilization lies a growing social anger in an economic context that is already suffocating for the majority of workers.
Speaking to the press, Télémaque Pierre didn't mince words. His tone was serious, sometimes harsh, but above all, revealing a widespread sense of frustration.
According to him, the decision to increase fuel prices only pushes the population further into poverty.
"Today, a worker is forced to sacrifice an entire day of work just to buy a gallon of gasoline. This is not sustainable," he said.
He describes a daily life that has become almost impossible to manage for workers in the metropolitan area. Between transportation, food, and other essential expenses, some spend nearly 2,000 gourdes a day, while the minimum wage remains far below that.
In this context, the unions are stepping up their demands and making a clear statement:
"We demand that the minimum wage be set at 2,500 gourdes."
But beyond the figures, Télémaque Pierre is launching a call for general mobilization. Factories, industrial zones, service stations, transport: all sectors are being called upon to shut down.
"Starting Monday, April 13, 2026, workers must leave the workshops, occupy public spaces, and maintain pressure until the government backs down."
Another powerful voice at this conference, Yvelt Admettre, chose to illustrate the crisis through everyday scenes. Simple stories, but ones that speak volumes about the gravity of the situation.
He recounted the case of a mother unable to pay for transportation for her children after school, forced to rely on the understanding of a driver.
"This kind of situation is becoming commonplace. Life is becoming too hard for too many people," he confided.
According to him, the rise in fuel prices triggered a chain reaction: increased transport costs, tensions between drivers and passengers, and worsening living conditions in almost all sectors.
He points out that teachers had already been raising the alarm since 2025, without any concrete response from the authorities.
"Nothing has changed. The promises have remained just promises."
The unions do not intend to limit the movement to factory workers. The call is broad:
Informal sector workers
Security guards
Domestic workers
Drivers and motorcyclists
Gas station staff
Everyone is invited to join the movement.
"Even those who work at gas stations must stay home. Without workers, there is no possible operation," Admettre insisted.
Beyond the price increases, a sense of inconsistency is also fueling frustration. Unions point to the drop in oil prices on the international market, which is not reflected in local prices.
"When prices fall elsewhere, why do they rise here?" they ask.
For them, the answer is clear: the population is paying the price for political decisions that are disconnected from reality.
With the movement set to begin in just days, uncertainty reigns. While the unions insist they want to maintain a peaceful mobilization, they also warn that their resolve is real.
"The people must rise up. Otherwise, nothing will change."
It remains to be seen whether this call will be widely heeded… and above all, whether the government will choose to open the way to dialogue or to maintain the current course.
One thing is certain: the next three days could have a significant impact on the evolution of the social crisis in the country.
Posted May 7, 2026