(2013-10) Better Work Haiti: 7th Biannual Synthesis Report
Summary — This 7th biannual synthesis report by Better Work Haiti details working conditions in 23 garment factories from May to August 2013, under the HOPE II legislation. It highlights persistent non-compliance issues in occupational safety and health, working time, and compensation, while noting overall improvements in core labor standards and working conditions since 2010. The program continues to provide advisory services and training to foster continuous improvement in the sector.
Key Findings
- Persistent non-compliance exists in Occupational Safety and Health, Working Time, and Compensation across Haitian garment factories.
- 100% of assessed factories were non-compliant with the 300 Gourdes piece-rate minimum wage, with only 25% of experienced workers earning this target.
- Social security systems remain a repeated non-compliance issue, primarily due to late payments of both worker and employer contributions to ONA and OFATMA.
- Significant improvements have been observed in core labor standards and working conditions since 2010, including in union operations and employment contracts.
- Sexual harassment in the workplace is a sensitive and difficult issue to detect, prompting Better Work Haiti to conduct a qualitative study and develop a toolkit.
Full Description
This 7th Biannual Synthesis Report by Better Work Haiti, a partnership between the International Labour Organization (ILO) and International Finance Corporation (IFC), presents findings from compliance assessments conducted in 23 garment factories in Haiti between May and August 2013. The program aims to improve working conditions and competitiveness in the apparel industry by promoting adherence to Haitian labor code and ILO core labor standards, particularly under the HOPE II legislation which grants tariff preferences to Haitian garments entering the US. The report identifies persistent non-compliance issues, notably in Occupational Safety and Health, Working Time, and Compensation, including widespread non-compliance with piece-rate minimum wages, late social security payments, and inadequate welfare facilities. Despite these challenges, the report notes significant overall improvements in compliance with core labor standards and working conditions since the program's inception in 2010, attributed to Better Work Haiti's advisory services, training, and public reporting efforts. The program continues to focus on strengthening OSH committees, facilitating social dialogue, and addressing specific non-compliance areas through targeted interventions.