Haiti union calls for anti-government strike, protest to urge postponement of elections
By APWednesday, July 21, 2010
Haiti union calls for anti-government strike
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — Opponents of Haiti’s president hope to halt traffic and shut down businesses in the capital to press for a postponement of Nov. 28 elections.
Transport union leader Miguel St. Louis says a general strike is planned for Thursday.
Protesters will demand that a new electoral council be formed before the election. Opponents of President Rene Preval say the councilors are corrupt.
The stakes will be high for the next president, with billions of dollars in reconstruction contracts coming into Haiti.
Though few Haitians have formal jobs, calls for a general strike can often result in paralyzing protests. Frustrations are high over the slow pace of reconstruction.
Some residents stocked up on gas and water Wednesday.
