Life in the Dominican Republic’s Sugar Fields: Resistance from the Bateyes

This paper addresses the manipulation of the relationship between the people of the Dominican Republic and Haiti and how this distortion used for political power currently affects the status of Haitians living and working within the Dominican Republic. This paper explores the use of Haitian labor in the Dominican agricultural sector, and the widespread human rights violations these workers face, particularly in the country’s sugar cane batey communities. Resistance movements that challenge the systemic human rights abuses of Haitian migrants are also explored. Finally, suggestions for how U.S. consumers can stand in solidarity with Haitian workers in the Dominican Republic is also discussed