Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Haitians Locked Out of U.S. Rebuilding Contracts

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Haiti News


Logic would dictate that when the rebuilding of earthquake-torn Haiti begins, using Haitian companies and workers would be a priority.

What better way to help the country get back on its feet than to get some outside dollars into that wrecked economy and into the hands of regular people?

But logic has little to do with any part of Haiti's story.

The latest evidence comes from an Associated Press investigation, exploring where U.S. contracting dollars have been going.

The findings reveal they aren't going to Haitians.

Of every $100 in U.S. contracts being paid to rebuild Haiti, Haitian firms have won less than $2 in work.

Part of me understands the dilemma facing the holders of U.S. purse strings.

Haiti has the reputation as one of the most corrupt governments on earth. Little gets done with government representatives, policy makers and other influential folks without a little financial push to help grease the wheels of progress.

I understand that it is much easier for the United States to find workers it knows and has contracted before than to take the risk of hiring untested local companies in Haiti.

But this is one case where the United States needs to do absolutely everything in its power to use local suppliers to fix the broken island nation. Every dollar of international aid that is taken in by local workers will have a huge effect on the local economy.

Using Haitian workers will get some of the country's aimless young men, who are busy fighting U.N. peacekeepers and protesting local elections, off the streets and in to paying jobs.

It's time for some of the U.S. aid dollars to construct not only buildings and roads but a better future for Haiti.



 

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Source: http://www.bvblackspin.com/2010/12/13/haitians-locked-out-of-u-s-rebuilding-contracts/

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