The Government of Haiti, together with employers’ and workers’ representatives, signed a two-year country programme with the International Labour Organization (ILO) on 14 May 2026 to advance decent work through strengthened social dialogue, labour governance, employment creation and social protection, according to a press release by the International Labour Organization. The ceremony took place at the ILO Caribbean Office in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. The agreement defines a shared roadmap for ILO technical cooperation in Haiti for 2026–2027. It is the first country programme developed under the ILO Caribbean Office’s expanded mandate covering Haiti. The agreement has received Prime Minister-level approval.
The signatories included the Honourable Marc Elie Nelson, Minister of Social Affairs and Labour, on behalf of the Government of Haiti. Maulik Radia, President of the Association of Industries of Haiti (ADIH), signed for the employers. Yvel Admettre, Secretary General of the Confederation of Public and Private Sector Workers, and Louis Fignole St Cyr, General Secretary of the Autonomous Central of Haitian Workers, signed for the workers. Joni Musabayana, Director of the ILO Decent Work Team and Office for the Caribbean, signed for the ILO. Haiti, a founding member of the ILO since 1919, has ratified 25 ILO Conventions, including 8 of the 10 Fundamental Conventions.
The programme is organized around four priorities identified through tripartite consultation. These include:
- Revitalizing social dialogue, including reactivation of national tripartite mechanisms and strengthening fundamental principles and rights at work.
- Improving labour governance, including labour administration and inspection systems, dispute resolution, and Labour Code reform.
- Expanding employment and livelihoods, with support for MSMEs, skills development, and targeted inclusion of youth, women, displaced persons and informal economy workers.
- Strengthening social protection, including reforms of key social security institutions and progressive expansion of coverage to informal workers.
Gender equality, youth inclusion and conflict sensitivity are mainstreamed across all four pillars, alongside climate and environmental considerations.
Minister Nelson confirmed political endorsement of the programme and its immediate implementation.
“I would like to announce that the Government, through the Prime Minister, has approved the proposal submitted, thereby marking an important milestone in this preparatory process,” Nelson said. Director Musabayana welcomed the agreement, stating, “Haiti’s tripartite constituents have shown real leadership in defining what support they need and on what terms.” Maulik Radia noted, “Haiti, as everybody knows, is going through a major crisis. And in a crisis, when we come together as a unity, it is very positive.” Louis Fignole St Cyr called the moment “extraordinary” and “historic,” while Yvel Admettre urged building “a culture of dialogue.”
Implementation begins immediately, with the ILO Caribbean Office providing technical support through its Decent Work Team and existing projects in Haiti. Coordination will involve UN partners, bilateral donors and national institutions. A tripartite steering committee will oversee progress, and an annual strategic review will track results. The Programme of Work is aligned with the Punta Cana Declaration for democracy, peace, decent work and social dialogue (2025), ILO Recommendation No. 205, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for Haiti (2023–2028). The transfer of Haiti to the ILO Caribbean Office portfolio took effect in January 2026.
