(2012-10) Better Work Haiti: 5th Biannual Synthesis Report
Summary — This 5th Biannual Synthesis Report by Better Work Haiti details labor compliance performance in the Haitian garment industry under the HOPE II legislation. It presents findings from factory assessments conducted between May and August 2012, highlighting compliance with international labor standards and national labor law. The report also covers advisory and training services provided to factories during the same period.
Key Findings
- Significant non-compliance persists in minimum wages, with 21 out of 22 factories failing to ensure piece-rate workers earn at least 250 Gourdes per day.
- Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) remains the cluster with the most non-compliance findings, particularly regarding working environment, worker protection, welfare facilities, and health services.
- Working time non-compliance is concentrated in overtime (16 factories exceeding legal limits or not obtaining authorization) and lack of required breastfeeding breaks (11 factories).
- Improvements were observed in core labor standards, particularly in freedom of association and discrimination, and in OSH management systems due to advisory services and training.
- Social dialogue, stakeholder commitment (CTMO-HOPE, MAST), and active management attitude are identified as key success criteria for sustainable compliance improvements.
Full Description
This 5th Biannual Synthesis Report, produced by Better Work Haiti, provides a comprehensive overview of labor compliance within the Haitian garment industry under the HOPE II legislation. It outlines findings from the fifth round of factory assessments conducted from May to August 2012, evaluating adherence to both international core labor standards and national labor law. The report identifies persistent non-compliance issues, particularly in areas like minimum wages, occupational safety and health (OSH), and working time (overtime and breastfeeding breaks), affecting a significant number of the 22 assessed factories. It also details the advisory and training services provided by Better Work Haiti between February and August 2012, aimed at improving compliance and fostering social dialogue. The report emphasizes the importance of stakeholder commitment, social dialogue, and active management in driving sustainable improvements in working conditions.