Economic Overview, HOPE/HELP Trade & Development Sector
Haiti combines preferential trade access to the United States (HOPE/HELP acts) with an extensive international NGO and development operations footprint.
Key Economic Sectors
- Apparel & Light Manufacturing: Duty-free export garment manufacturing (Caracol Industrial Park, CODEVI).
- International Development & NGOs: Extensive humanitarian, healthcare, and infrastructure development programs.
- Essential Oils & Agribusiness: World's #1 producer of vetiver essential oil for luxury perfumery, coffee, and organic cacao.
Employment Contracts, Labour Code & Probation
Regulated by the Code du Travail de la République d'Haïti.
- Mandatory Written Contracts: Must be in French or Haitian Creole and submitted to the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour (MAST).
- Probation Period: Maximum statutory probation is 3 months.
Working Hours, Overtime & Rest Periods
- Standard Hours: 40 to 48 hours per week (8 hours/day over 5 or 6 days).
- Overtime: Paid at 150% (1.5× base wage); 200% (double time) on Sundays and public holidays.
Annual Leave, Public Holidays & Maternity Protections
- Annual Paid Vacation: Minimum 15 consecutive days (including at least 13 working days) per year of continuous service.
- Public Holidays: 13 official national public holidays.
- Maternity Leave: 12 weeks (84 days) (6 weeks prenatal + 6 weeks postnatal) paid at 100% via OFATMA social security and employer top-ups. Strict dismissal protection applies.
ONA Pensions (6%), OFATMA Health & 13th Month Bonus
Mandatory 13th Month Bonus
Under Article 154 of the Labour Code, all employers must pay a mandatory 13th-month bonus equal to 1 full month's basic salary between 24 and 31 December.
Social Security (ONA & OFATMA) Breakdown
| Institution / Fund | Employer Share | Employee Share | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Old-Age Insurance (ONA) | 6.0% | 6.0% | National pension and retirement fund |
| Workplace Accident & Health (OFATMA) | 3.0%–6.0% | 0.0% | Occupational risk and maternity fund |
| Total Statutory Contributions | ~9.0%–12.0% | 6.0% | Total monthly social burden |
Personal Income Tax (IRI): Progressive rates from 0% up to 30% on earnings exceeding HTG 1,000,000/yr, remitted to DGI.
Termination, Notice & Severance Indemnity
- Notice Periods: 8 days (tenure < 1 yr), 15 days (1–2 yrs), 1 month (2–5 yrs), 2 months (5–10 yrs), and 3 months (> 10 yrs service).
- Severance Pay: Statutory indemnity calculated based on years of continuous service.
Why Use an Employer of Record (EOR) in Haiti
- Immediate NGO & Project Team Deployment: Onboard program managers and logistics coordinators in Port-au-Prince or Cap-Haïtien in days.
- ONA, OFATMA & DGI Compliance: Automated management of social security remittances and December bonus disbursements.
- Work Permit Sponsorship: EOR manages Ministry of Social Affairs work authorizations for foreign personnel.