While the economy is moribund in Haiti that many businesses are closed and companies in bankruptcy, Pierre Ricot Odney, the Minister of Social Affairs and Labor (MAST) reminds employers of for-profit companies and institutions, the obligation to pay employees an additional salary (bonus) between December 24 and 31 of each year, regardless of the duration of employment, in accordance with the provisions of articles 154 and following of the Code of Haitian Labor.

To this end, a body of MAST inspectors will be deployed throughout the national territory to ensure the application of the said provisions in the companies and institutions concerned.

Minister Odney takes this opportunity to wish the population in general and the social partners in particular, a Merry Christmas 2022 and a successful New Year 2023.

Good to know :

In its article 157 the labor code stipulates "The additional salary or bonus of any new employee must be calculated according to the number of months of service provided during the year. This means that the salary must never be less than the twelfth part of the wages received by the employee during the year, whether it is remuneration in money or in kind, housing or commission. By way of example, a person who has provided services to a company for 6 months and who receives 20,000 gourdes per month should receive an additional salary equivalent to 6/12 of 20,000 gourdes, so the person must obtain a sum of 10,000 goudes as a bonus [...]"

Note that even in the event of termination of the employment contract by the employer or the employee, the bonus must be paid to the employee in accordance with article 156.

Non-payment of the Bonus to employees is an offense punishable by a fine between 1,000.00 and 3,000 Gourdes for each offense to be pronounced by the labor court, plus damages for the employee(s) concerned.

HL/ HaitiLibre