Each year, the issue of strikes and work stoppages by court clerks becomes a matter that directly affects the Haitian judicial system. This situation does not concern only employees of the judicial system; it also affects all citizens who need court services in order to obtain justice. When court clerks go on strike, case files are blocked, hearings are postponed, and individuals in pretrial detention continue to wait without trial.
Moreover, legal professionals such as lawyers and other practitioners suffer serious consequences, as many cases remain pending in their offices.
Court clerks play a central role in the functioning of the courts. They are responsible for preparing documents, recording decisions, organizing files, and ensuring the proper conduct of judicial procedures. Without their contribution, the judicial system can hardly function. Consequently, each strike causes a total paralysis in several jurisdictions across the country.
The reasons for these movements are often linked to poor working conditions, delays in salary payments, the absence of social benefits, and a lack of recognition for the services rendered. Faced with the absence of clear and concrete responses from the competent authorities, employees of the judicial system have no choice but to mobilize and make their voices heard.
However, the annual repetition of strikes reveals a structural problem that has never found a sustainable solution.
The judicial system cannot continue to operate in a climate of permanent crisis. In other countries, it functions efficiently, but in Haiti, it operates in a chaotic manner.
The State must assume its responsibility to improve the working conditions of judicial system employees, establish regular dialogue, and adopt preventive measures to avoid these recurring disruptions.
A weak or paralyzed judicial system jeopardizes social stability and undermines public confidence in institutions. Therefore, the issue of court clerks’ strikes should not be considered a simple labor dispute, but rather a national emergency requiring in-depth reflection and concrete measures.
The solution must be based on respect for workers’ rights, sound administrative management, and a clear political will to strengthen judicial institutions in the interest of the country.
In this regard, we call upon Prime Minister Alix Didier FILS-AIMÉ, through the Minister of Justice, Me Patrick PÉLISSIER, to take into consideration the court clerks’ work stoppage with the full sense of responsibility it entails.
It is important that this situation does not lead to a prolonged strike that would place the entire judicial system in great difficulty. A prompt intervention will allow the population, particularly individuals in pretrial detention, to appear before their natural judges, as provided by law.
By: Me Jean-Marie GAUDAR, Attorney-at-Law
