The Willbes

In 2024, the Haitian factory known as The Willbes carried out a large-scale staff reduction that resulted in the dismissal of four pregnant employees and nine union leaders, among other workers. Haitian law protects pregnant workers from dismissal and the Haitian Ministry of Labor, in keeping with the International Labour Organization’s Recommendation 143 on Worker Representatives, has directed employers to give priority to worker representatives for continued employment during a staff reduction.

The WRC’s investigation found that the factory should have offered continued employment for these 13 workers at the time of the staff reduction. The remediation for this violation requires The Willbes to make offers of reinstatement to all workers with payment of back wages from the date of their dismissal to the date of reinstatement.

To date, the factory has not agreed to implement these remedial actions. The WRC will continue to monitor for compliance.

Read More:

• Gap Allowed Haiti Factory to Swindle Pregnant Workers, Carry Out Mass Firing of Union Leaders – October 2, 2025