BetterWork: 20th Biannual Synthesis Report: An Industry and Compliance Review Under the HOPE II Legislation
Summary — This is the 20th biannual synthesis report under the HOPE II legislation, covering April 2019 to March 2020. It reviews the apparel industry in Haiti, focusing on compliance with labor standards and national law, and the impact of the Better Work program.
Key Findings
- The garment industry remains a vital source of income for Haiti, with exports to the U.S. market worth approximately $1.012 billion in 2019.
- Better Work Haiti has worked with MAST to strengthen their inspection department, improving labor inspectors' capacity to assess and monitor working conditions.
- The Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor and the First Instance Court for the Western Department joined efforts to facilitate the carrying out of a swearing-in session of 22 Labor Inspectors.
- Persistent non-compliance issues in areas related to compensation (social security) and OSH (Chemicals management, emergency preparedness, worker protection and working environment) continue to be a concern for the sector.
Full Description
This 20th biannual synthesis report, mandated by the HOPE II legislation, provides an industry and compliance review for Haiti's apparel sector, covering the period from April 2019 to March 2020. The report details the activities of the Better Work program, a collaboration between the ILO and IFC, in improving working conditions and labor rights within the Haitian garment industry. It assesses factory compliance with core international labor standards and national labor law, supports remediation efforts, and provides capacity building to the Government of Haiti. The report also addresses the challenges faced by the industry, including political instability and the COVID-19 pandemic, while highlighting the sector's continued importance to the Haitian economy.