Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2023, published 112nd ILC session (2024)

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

The Committee notes the observations made by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), received on 27 September 2023, which relate to the extremely serious and violent crisis in the country, and which largely refer to those formulated in 2022.

The Committee notes with concern that the Government’s report has not been received. It is therefore bound to repeat its previous comments.

The Committee notes the observations of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), received on 1 September 2022, which contain new allegations of serious violations of freedom of association in the textile sector, such as anti-union dismissals. The Committee also notes the observations of the Confederation of Public and Private Sector Workers (CTSP) and the Confederation of Haitian Workers (CTH), received on 2 November 2022, which, in the context of the extremely serious and violent crisis in the country, denounce the blatant limitations on the right to organize and bargain collectively in practice. The Committee notes the extent of the crisis affecting the country at all levels and hopes that the Government will be able to comment on the issues raised in the near future.

The Committee notes with deep concern that the Government’s report, which has been expected since 2014, has not been received. In light of the urgent appeal made to the Government in 2020, the Committee is proceeding with the examination of the application of the Convention on the basis of information at its disposal. While being aware of the difficulties faced by the country, the Committee recalls that it raised questions concerning the application of the Convention in an observation, which particularly concerned the need to strengthen protection against anti-union discrimination as well as the penalties provided in this regard. It recalls also that its comments concern allegations of serious violations of freedom of association in practice, especially in several enterprises in textile export processing zones, and the lack of social bargaining in the country. In the absence of additional observations from the social partners and having no indication at its disposal of progress made on these pending issues, the Committee refers to its previous observation of 2020 and urges the Government to provide a complete response in 2022 to the questions raised. For that purpose, the Committee expects that any request for technical assistance, in relation with Conventions ratified by the country, that the Government may wish to address to the Office will be taken up as soon as possible.

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