Haiti Protests: 1 Dead, 2 Injured After Police Fired into Haitian Protesters in Port-au-Prince
One was dead while two others were injured as factory workers in Haiti engaged in protests over wages. RICHARD PIERRIN/AFP via Getty Images

At least one died and two were injured in Haiti on Wednesday when the Haitian police fired at the protesters in the country's capital to rally for higher minimum wages.

According to Associated Press, the victims were journalists who were in the demonstrations fueled by the rage of the factory workers who demand higher pay than those announced by Haiti Prime Minister Ariel Henry this week.

Reports noted that the men wearing police uniforms fired at a group of people from a car with a police license plate, although the protests appeared to be winding down.

One of the union leaders of the factory workers, Dominique St Eloi, said that the demonstration had been calm when the police began shooting from the vehicle, Reuters noted per National Post.

Haiti Protests: Police Kills Journalist and Injures 2 Others

Journalist Lazzare Maxihen was one of the wounded when the police fired. He was brought to the hospital for treatment, but he lost his life in the healthcare facility.

Maxihen was known to be a journalist from the Haitian media group Roi des Infos.

Two other journalists were also wounded after the Haitian police fired at the crowd. However, authorities did not further on the details of the wounded.

"What happened today is a big hit for the press... If the constitution gives workers the right to protests, we as journalists are doing our job," Roi des Infos Director Oméus Romane said.

Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry also commented on the death of the journalist, saying that he condemns the violence that prompted casualties.

"I offer my condolences to the family of the deceased, as well as to the other victims of these brutal acts," Henry added.

It was unclear why the authorities fired at the protesters on Wednesday. National Post noted that the spokesperson of Haiti National Police did not reply in a request for comment.

Haiti Hikes Minimum Wage

The protests in Haiti came after the office of Prime Minister Ariel Henry announced that the minimum wage in the country would hike up to 54 percent following weeks of garment factory workers who claim their wages are not enough, CNN reported.

Henry noted that the salary increase, including the new daily wage would be 540 gourdes ($5) for restaurant workers and agriculture while 770 gourdes (more than $7) for those who work in supermarkets, undertakers, and car dealerships.

The increase also affected the wages of the factory workers as their minimum wage would be placed to 185 gourdes ($1.80) per day.

This development enraged the factory workers who engaged in a three-day strike in the country's capital.

Factory workers voiced their concerns on the decision regarding their daily wage.

"Can you imagine? I have two kids, and I have to pay for a home. The government is keeping us in misery," protester André Saintil said.

Meanwhile, another factory worker in the protests named Jean Wilkens Pierre said that their salary barely covers the cost for their food and transportation as Haiti experiences double-digit inflation. Pierre argued that he will accept nothing less than a minimum salary amounting to 1,500 gourdes ($14) daily wage.

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This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written By: Joshua Summers

WATCH: Haiti Factory Workers Go on Strike to Demand Pay Increase - From Al Jazeera English