ILO Caribbean Office begins first high-level mission to Haiti following new country programme agreement

ILO technical cooperation in Haiti

ILO Caribbean Office begins first high-level mission to Haiti following new country programme agreement

ILO high-level mission signals immediate action to support decent work, social dialogue and labour cooperation in Haiti

1 July 2026

CAP-HAÏTIEN, Haiti (ILO News) - A high-level delegation from the International Labour Organization (ILO) on 30 June began its first official mission to Haiti since responsibility for the country was transferred to the ILO Decent Work Team and Office for the Caribbean, based in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.

The mission is led by Joni Musabayana, Director of the ILO Decent Work Team and Office for the Caribbean, and includes Ingerlyn Caines-Francis, Senior Programming Officer. It marks an important moment in the ILO's renewed engagement with Haiti's tripartite partners (Government, employers' and workers' organizations) following months of meetings, consultations and joint work to define shared priorities.

The visit comes just weeks after the May signing of the ILO Country Programme for Haiti 2026-2027, signalling the Caribbean Office's commitments to move quickly, stay closely connected to its partners, and support implementation of agreed priorities through practical technical cooperation.

The Haiti country programme was signed in Port of Spain on 14 May 2026 by 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), for 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, for workers; and Joni Musabayana for the ILO.

The programme provides a two-year framework for ILO technical cooperation in Haiti, with agreed priorities on social dialogue and rights at work, strengthened labour institutions and governance, employment, livelihoods and economic recovery, and social protection and safer working conditions.

"This mission is about moving quickly from agreement to action," said Joni Musabayana, Director of the ILO Decent Work Team and Office for the Caribbean. "Haiti's tripartite partners have worked with commitment and clarity to define shared priorities for decent work. Today's discussions confirmed the importance of staying close to workers, employers and institutions on the ground as we support implementation of the country programme. The ILO Caribbean Office is committed to working with Haiti's constituents through practical technical assistance, social dialogue and partnership." The Director further explained that the mission is not merely about project implementation. It is seen as essential for strengthening relationships and reinforcing the trust of its constituents and partners in Haiti.

"It is important for us to be here, so that the ILO Caribbean Office can deepen its understanding of the realities facing constituents and give effect to our commitment to work with our Haitian partners in a spirit of mutual respect and shared responsibility." Joni Musabayana

During the first two days of the mission, the ILO delegation met with government officials, enterprise management and trade union leaders in northern Haiti. The discussions provided an opportunity to listen directly to partners, exchange views on decent work priorities, and identify practical ways to support cooperation and meaningful social dialogue in workplaces and sectors that are important for jobs, livelihoods and economic activity.

The engagement included site tours that allowed the delegation to see ongoing work connected to Haiti's industrial and employment sectors and to discuss how social dialogue can help build stronger workplace relations, improve trust and support more stable cooperation among workers, employers and institutions.

The transfer of Haiti to the ILO Caribbean Office took effect in January 2026. The Office serves 14 ILO member States and nine non-metropolitan territories of the English- and Dutch-speaking Caribbean. The expanded mandate is intended to strengthen regional alignment, responsiveness and technical support to Haiti and other Caribbean constituents.

The Haiti mission is taking place from 30 June to 4 July 2026. It includes meetings with tripartite constituents and partners, as well as field engagements with ILO-supported initiatives. For security reasons, detailed locations are not being publicized.

The ILO's work in Haiti is guided by its mandate to promote decent work and social justice through cooperation with governments, employers and workers. Through the new country programme, the ILO will support Haitian constituents in advancing social dialogue, strengthening labour institutions, promoting employment and livelihoods, and expanding social protection in ways that respond to national priorities and Haiti's current context.

Media contact:

For ILO:

Resel Melville

Communication and Information Management Officer

ILO Decent Work Team and Office for the Caribbean

Email: [email protected]

Tel: +1 868-625-0524