CNE Employees Continue Their Fight to Demand Salary Payment

Former workers of the National Equipment Center (CNE) staged a sit-in on Monday, August 4, in front of the Prime Minister's Office in Musseau. These former workers are demanding 12 months of unpaid salaries. Holding placards, they chanted slogans denouncing the attitude of state authorities regarding their situation.

“We can no longer wait. We have families to feed, children to send to school. As long as we are not paid, we will continue to protest, no matter the cost,” declared Wildrick Séjour, president of the CNE Employees' Union, to journalists.

One of the workers explained, “Everything is increasing, the school year is approaching, and I have nothing to provide for my family,” he exclaimed, stating that it is unacceptable that Haiti leaves its technicians without salary for twelve months.

The sit-in had started peacefully. But very quickly, tension rose. Faced with the determination of the protesters, law enforcement used tear gas. Videos circulating on social media show demonstrators fleeing, their eyes red from the smoke, while moto-taxis tried to evacuate those most affected.

This forceful intervention only exacerbated their anger. Some participants stated they are ready to escalate their movement. “If we have to block roads or camp here day and night, we will do it. We will not leave empty-handed,” said an enraged demonstrator.

It should be recalled that the National Equipment Center (CNE) was dissolved in 2024. According to the decision made by former Prime Minister Garry Conille, the institution's employees were supposed to be integrated into the Ministries of Defense and Public Works, Transport, and Communications (MTPTC).

However, this administrative transfer was never actually implemented on the ground. As a result, hundreds of technicians and workers find themselves without clear roles and without salaries for nearly a year.