Haitian Construction Workers in the Dominican Republic: An Exploratory Study on Indicators of Forced Labor
Research report on the working conditions and indicators of forced labor among Haitian migrant construction workers in the Dominican Republic, commissioned by the U.S. Department of Labor, coordinated by ICF International, and carried out by OBMICA. The study covered Santo Domingo, Santiago, and Bavaro/Punta Cana through interviews with workers, stakeholders, and informal experts.
This research report examines working conditions and indicators of forced labor among Haitian migrant construction workers in the Dominican Republic. It was commissioned by the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL), coordinated by ICF International, and carried out by OBMICA.
The study covered Santo Domingo, Santiago, and Bavaro/Punta Cana. Researchers conducted 135 interviews with workers and 75 interviews with stakeholders and informal experts. The report explores four central topics: pathways into construction work, including recruitment; working conditions and labor relations; living conditions and indebtedness; and the effects of the 2010 Haiti earthquake on Haitian migration for construction work in the Dominican Republic.
The publication provides evidence on migrant vulnerability, labor exploitation risks, and the broader context shaping Haitian participation in the Dominican construction sector.