RESTAVEK – CHILD SLAVE LABOR IN HAITI
Short documentary commissioned by Arbetet 

In 1804, a successful salve revolt ended slavery in Haiti and the country became the first state ruled by former slaves. 

Today Haiti is one of the poorest countries in the Western hemisphere. Over sixty percent live in poverty. Modern day child slavery affects an estimated 300 000 Haitian children. The system is called Restavek.

Jejiga Eli is one of 300 000 restavek children in Haiti. He works from three in the morning until ten at night. Everyday of the week. He lives with the family that he works for.

In the Creole language Restaveks means “to stay with”. Typical born in poor rural areas. The children are given to more well of urban families. In their new homes they become domestic slaves.