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.
Hiring in Haiti? Key Resources
Whether you are evaluating entity setup vs. using an Employer of Record, or looking for the best international payroll solution, our guides give you transparent benchmarks: