The Haitian Hemispheric Opportunity through Partnership Encouragement (HOPE) and the Haiti Economic Lift Programme (HELP) Acts provide duty-free access for Haitian-made apparel to the US market, which in turn support US jobs in the textile and apparel industry.
“Over the past 25 years, Congress has consistently encouraged our industry to remain invested in Haiti to economically stabilise our island neighbour and limit illegal migratory pressures by providing good, well-paying jobs in the country. The need for this continued Congressional commitment and partnership remains as important as ever,” said AAFA president and chief executive officer Steve Lamar in a release.
“This renewal is urgently needed to help combat the crisis that continues to unfold in Haiti,” said Beth Hughes, AAFA vice president of trade and customs policy.
“Delays in renewing the programme, coupled with acute security concerns, have already contributed to the loss of nearly two-thirds of the 60,000 Haitian textile and apparel jobs that existed just two years ago. More of those jobs will be lost in the coming months if Congress fails to act soon,” he cautioned.
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