12 Asian garment firms to operate in Haiti by mid-2019

13 Dec '18

1 min read

At least a dozen Asian garment companies will start operations in Haiti by mid-2019, according to Georges Sassine, president of the Association of Industries of Haiti (ADIH), who said the two main challenges are the lack of buildings to house the companies and shortage of skilled workers, both of which the association is trying to solve.

Sassine is, however, convinced that the two training centres specialising in apparel can address the manpower shortage, a newspaper in the country reported.

South Korean companies are at the forefront in Haiti with 10 factories, with S & H Co Ltd (SAE-A), which started operations in the country in 2012, turning the largest employer in the apparel sector there now with more than 13,000 workers.

Taiwanese firms have built three factories, one of which is operated by a subsidiary of Sri Lanka-based MAS Holdings. Haiti's proximity to the United States and tariff benefits have helped. MAS Akansyel now employs 1,000 workers and plans to hire another 600.

Some Asian garment factories are paying well above the government-mandated minimum wage of 420 Gourdes ( plus 20 per cent) per 8-hour work day, Sassine added. (DS)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk – India

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