BetterWork: 21st Compliance Synthesis Report Under the HOPE Legislation Haiti OCTOBER 2019-SEPTEMBER 2020
Summary — This is the 21st compliance synthesis report under the HOPE legislation for Haiti, covering October 2019 to September 2020. The report, a collaboration between the ILO and IFC, assesses working conditions and labor rights in the Haitian garment industry, focusing on compliance with international labor standards and national law.
Key Findings
- The Haitian garment industry grew significantly, employing over 51,000 people in 2019.
- COVID-19 caused a 25% decrease in full-time equivalent workers between April and September 2020.
- Nine in ten workers reported trouble securing food due to income shocks during the pandemic.
- The value of the Haitian currency increased, negatively affecting the garment sector by raising costs.
- The United States Congress renewed the Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act (CBTPA) for Haiti.
Full Description
The 21st Compliance Synthesis Report under the HOPE Legislation for Haiti, spanning October 2019 to September 2020, provides an overview of the working conditions and labor rights within Haiti's garment industry. This report, a collaborative effort between the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), assesses factories exporting apparel to the US market under the HOPE II legislation. It examines compliance with international core labor standards and Haitian national labor law, supporting remediation efforts and providing capacity building to the Government of Haiti. The report also highlights the impact of COVID-19 on the apparel sector, including disruptions to production, employment, and investment, as well as the measures taken by the government and Better Work Haiti to address these challenges.