(2011-04) Better Work Haiti: 2nd Biannual Synthesis Report
Summary — This second semiannual report by Better Work Haiti assesses compliance with international and national labor standards in the Haitian garment industry under the HOPE II legislation. Covering September 2010 to February 2011, it highlights significant non-compliance, particularly in health and safety, minimum wage for piece-rate workers, and paid leave for breastfeeding mothers. The report details remediation efforts and outlines future priorities for the program.
Key Findings
- All 28 evaluated factories showed at least one non-conformity in Health and Safety at Work (SST).
- 61% of factories (17 out of 28) were non-compliant regarding minimum wage, primarily due to issues with piece-rate production targets.
- 57% of factories (17 out of 28) were non-compliant on paid leave, mainly concerning remunerated breastfeeding breaks.
- All factories (28 out of 28) were non-compliant with the legally mandated 90-minute daily break.
- High rates of non-compliance were observed in contracts and human resources, with all factories having issues with work contracts and 27 out of 28 with internal regulations.
Full Description
This is the second semiannual synthesis report from the Better Work Haiti program, covering the period from September 2010 to February 2011, and is produced under the HOPE II legislation. The report aims to describe the efforts made by participating factories to improve compliance with fundamental international labor standards and national labor law. It highlights that despite some improvements since the first report, significant non-compliance persists across various categories. Key areas of concern include health and safety, where all 28 evaluated factories showed at least one non-conformity, and minimum wage for piece-rate workers, with 61% of factories failing to meet standards. Additionally, 57% of factories were non-compliant regarding paid leave, particularly for breastfeeding breaks, and all factories failed to provide the legally mandated 90-minute daily break. The report also details the advisory and training services provided by Better Work Haiti, including the establishment of Performance Improvement Consultative Committees (CCAP) and various training modules on human resources management and emergency preparedness. External factors like the 2010 earthquake, the cholera epidemic, and political instability significantly impacted the program's implementation during this period.