Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2019, published 109th ILC session (2021)

Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention, 1949 (No. 98) - Haiti (Ratification: 1957)

The Committee notes the observations of the Confederation of Public and Private Sector Workers (CTSP), received on 1 September 2019, on matters covered by the present comment, as well as allegations of violation of the Convention in practice. The Committee requests the Government to provide its comments in this respect.

The Committee notes with deep concern that the Government’s report has not been received. It is therefore bound to repeat its previous comments. The Committee informs the Government that, if it has not supplied replies to the points raised by 1 September 2020, then it may proceed with the examination of the application of the Convention on the basis of the information at its disposal at its next session.

The Committee notes the Government’s communication received on 30 October 2018 in which it informs the Committee that, further to the conclusions of the Conference Committee, it has requested ILO technical assistance with a view to helping in the presentation of the reports due, strengthening the inspection services, consolidating social dialogue for the continuation of social reforms, and addressing the other points raised by the Conference Committee. The Government adds that it hopes to receive the requested assistance before the next session of the International Labour Conference. The Committee hopes that this technical assistance will be provided without delay.

The Committee notes the observations of: (i) the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) received on 1 September 2018 denouncing the absence of collective bargaining in the country as a result of the alleged opposition from employers; (ii) the Confederation of Public and Private Sector Workers (CTSP) received on 29 August 2018 and related to elements examined by the Committee in its previous comment; and (iii) the Trade Union Federation of Haiti (CSH), received on 1 September 2018 alleging acts of anti-union discrimination. The Committee requests the Government to provide its comments thereon.

The Committee finally notes the observations from the Association of Haitian Industries (ADIH) received on 31 August 2018.

The Committee recalls the observations of the Confederation of Public and Private Sector Workers (CTSP), received on 30 August 2017, concerning allegations of grave violations of freedom of association in both the public and the private sectors, and particularly in several enterprises in textile export processing zones, where some 200 unionized workers and trade union leaders have been dismissed following a strike called in May 2017 in support of an increase in the minimum wage. The Committee notes in this respect the campaign launched in July 2017 by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and the Trade Union Confederation of the Americas (TUCA) denouncing violations of freedom of association. The Committee expresses deep concern at this information. It notes that these issues are being followed-up by the Better Work programme, a partnership between the ILO and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, which has been present in Haiti since 2009. Recalling that acts of harassment and intimidation carried out against workers or their dismissal by reason of trade union membership or legitimate trade union activities is a serious violation of the principles of freedom of association enshrined in the Convention, the Committee expects that the Government will take the necessary measures to ensure respect for these principles and requests it to provide information on any investigations ordered by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour (MAST), and any judicial procedures in this regard.

Article 1 of the Convention. Adequate protection against acts of anti-union discrimination. The Committee recalls that its previous comments concerned the need to adopt a specific provision establishing protection against anti-union discrimination in recruitment practices, and the need to adopt provisions generally affording adequate protection to workers against acts of anti-union discrimination (on the basis of trade union membership or activities) during employment, accompanied by effective and rapid procedures and sufficiently dissuasive sanctions. In this regard, the Committee recalls that, in accordance with section 251 of the Labour Code, “any employer who, in order to prevent an employee from joining a trade union, organizing a trade union or exercising his or her rights as a trade union member, dismisses, suspends or demotes the employee or reduces his or her wages, shall be liable to a fine of 1,000 to 3,000 Haitian gourdes (approximately US$15–45) to be imposed by the labour tribunal, without prejudice to any compensation to which the employee concerned shall be entitled”. The Committee requests the Government to ensure that, in the context of the renewal of tripartite dialogue for the reform of the Labour Code, the penalties provided for in the event of anti-union discrimination during employment are increased substantially in order to ensure that they are sufficiently dissuasive. It also requests the Government to ensure the adoption of a specific provision establishing protection against anti-union discrimination at the time of recruitment.

Article 4. Promotion of collective bargaining. The Committee once again recalls the need to amend section 34 of the Decree of 4 November 1983, particularly in relation to its provisions empowering the Labour Organizations Branch of the Labour Directorate of the MAST “to intervene in the drafting of collective agreements and in collective labour disputes with regard to all matters relating to freedom of association”. The Committee expects that the Government will draw on the technical assistance provided by the Office to amend section 34 of the Decree of 4 November 1983 in order to ensure that the Labour Organizations Branch can only intervene in collective bargaining at the request of the parties.

Right to collective bargaining of public servants not engaged in the administration of the State and public employees. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the legislative provisions relating to this subject.

Right to collective bargaining in practice. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that, following the tripartite training course organized by the Office in 2012 in Port-au-Prince for the interested parties in the textile sector, the participants emphasized the need to establish a permanent forum for bipartite dialogue in order to strengthen dialogue between the actors in the sector. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on this subject, including in light of the most recent events in the textile sector in May 2017. The Committee notes with concern that, according to the CTSP, there are only four collective agreements in force in the country and some of them are not signed by the lawful representatives of workers. The Committee requests the Government to provide its comments on this subject and to supply information on the measures adopted or envisaged to promote collective bargaining in the country.

The Committee expects that the Government will make every effort to take the necessary action in the near future.