JG - Haitian women pawns in trade

From my archive of press clippings:

Jamaica Gleaner

Haitian women pawns in trade

published: Sunday June 22, 2008

File

A group of Haitians living here in Jamaica hide their faces from our cameras. Human trafficking involving Haitians is reported as part of the drugs-for-guns trade between the two Caribbean neighbours.

Read the whole article here.

Snippet(s):

"Poorly maintained informal communities on the island's north and south coasts have been providing a safe haven for illegal immigrants, mostly Haitian women, many of whom come via boats returning from Haiti with guns.

According to Operation Kingfish, many of these immigrants are involved with the narcotics and illegal guns trade - as well as trafficking of other illegal immigrants (mostly women) into the country."

"On arrival in Jamaica, they establish ties with local residents in villages that rim the fishing beaches.

These include Treasure Beach, Rocky Point and Old Harbour Bay.

The closed nature of these communities makes it fairly easy for them to live relatively secure.

By Jamaican law, if discovered, they will be arrested and deported."

"Starting a new life in Jamaica, Haitians operate bars or shops, or work in the construction industry, settling for meagre salaries.

There have been reports that some are being paid wages as low as $250 per day."

&

"A Sunday Gleaner visit to one of the island's oldest and largest fishing villages - Old Harbour Bay - recently, confirms that human trafficking activities are rampant in this port and is linked to an active drugs-for-guns trade."