This absurd claim was thrown out by the national police, who investigated the factory and condemned its serious overcrowding and lack of ventilation. Chentex produces garments for JC Penney. Pickers and peelers are paid at piece rate and must maintain a furious pace throughout the day to bring in enough to survive. The plantation lacks even the most basic toilet or washing facilities, creating special problems for the orange peelers, who suffer irritation to the hands and face from the citric acid juice. Constant exposure to the acidic spray also causes respiratory and digestive problems.
Workers can claim neither the sick leave nor the annual holidays mandated by Haitian labor law.
The workers have formed a union. Negotiations with management have been unproductive. To avoid a recurrence of earlier protests, the growers had gone to great lengths not to disclose the time, date or location of the meeting - to no avail. This was the third time in five years that area farmworkers have struck because of inadequate wages. They call for dialogue with the major tomato growers in southwest Florida to discuss wages and conditions.