PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti, Jul 2, CMC – A high-level delegation from the International Labour Organization (ILO) began its first official mission to Haiti since responsibility for the country was transferred to the Trinidad-based ILO Decent Work Team and Office for the Caribbean.
An ILO statement said that the visit of the mission, which is being led by Joni Musabayana, Director of the ILO Decent Work Team and Office for the Caribbean, 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.
It said that 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 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 Musabayana, adding “Haiti’s tripartite partners have worked with commitment and clarity to define shared priorities for decent work”.
He said the discussions so far have “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,” Musabayana said, explaining that the mission is not merely about project implementation.
He said 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,” said Musabayana
The ILO delegation has already met with government officials, enterprise management and trade union leaders in northern Haiti providing 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 ILO statement added.
The mission will end its visit to Haiti on Saturday and the statement said that the ILO’s work in the French-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country 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.”
CMC/ah/ir/2026