Building the capacities of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour to ensure labour law compliance in the Haitian apparel sector

The ILO, with financial support from the United States Department of Labor, built the capacity of the labour administration and its inspection services to enhance compliance with labour laws in the Haitian apparel sector

The Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour (MAST) inspectors and conciliators, as well as the office of the labour Ombudsperson did not have the means and skills necessary to prevent and solve labour disputes and ensure compliance with labour laws in Haiti.

The ILO focused on strengthening the capacities of the MAST to enhance labour law compliance in the apparel sector of the country.

"Task Force" members following a training session
The project, in complementarity with Better Work Haiti, strengthened the capacities of the MAST and its labour inspectors to make inspection visits more efficient. In order to do so, the project established a “Task Force” of labour inspectors who received intensive trainings and are now able to share their skills and knowledge with the rest of the inspectorate.

In parallel, the project provided specific training to the MAST conciliators and the office of the labour ombudsperson to ensure that these services are properly equipped to prevent and solve labour disputes.

As the Government is not the only actor that can play a role in ensuring compliance with labour laws, the project also supported the employers’ and workers’ engagement in this process through the development of awareness raising materials. Finally, this system is only viable if appropriate sanctions apply to those who violate the law. For this reason the project supported the institutionalization of labour law training of judges involved in labour law cases.

Thanks to the Project, labour inspectors are able to conduct efficient inspection visits on both fundamental principles and rights at work and occupational safety and health."

Dimanche Innocent, labour Inspector, “Task Force” Member


Funding for this project is provided by the United States Department of Labor.