This document discusses two proposed solutions to promote human rights and gender equality in Haiti: paid and non-transferable paternity leave in the private sector, and increasing the minimum wage for domestic workers. For the first solution, the costs of implementing paternity leave and costs of employment displacement for men are estimated, as well as the expected benefits of increased employment of women and productivity. For the second solution, the implementation costs of a minimum wage increase for domestic workers from 175 to 250 gourdes per day and expected benefits are estimated under two scenarios. Benefit-cost ratios are provided for both proposals at different reduction rates.

1. Human Rights and Gender
Equality
Jacques Philippe ESTIME & Samuel Philip JEAN-LOUIS
Economists and Project Analysts, Ministry of Planning and External Cooperation
‘‘Haïti Priorise’’ Conference, Port-au-Prince April 29 to May 3, 2017

2. Introduction
• Unemployment rate: women 17.3%, men 11.5%
• Private sector: 32.7% of women
• Leadership positions: 7% of women
• Domestic workers: 88% of women, 12% of men
• Minimum wage for domestic workers: 175 gourdes

3. 1st Solution
Paid and non-transferable paternity leave

4. Description of the Solution
• Duration: 10 years
• Target population: Men in the private sector
• Partner: Ministry of Economy and Finance

5. Implementation costs
Table of costs in gourdes at the reduction rate of 5%
Costs of paternity leave 2,065,640,603
Costs of employment displacement for men 71,900,449,667
Total 73,966,090,271

6. Expected Benefits
Table of total advantages at a reduction rate in gourds at 5%
Increased employment of women 71,900,449,666
Free time for men 2,065,640,603
Increased productivity for companies diversifying their base 23,008,143,893
Total 96,974,234,164

7. Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR)
Intervention Reduction
Annual
benefit
(millions,
HTG)
Annual cost
(millions,
HTG)
BCR
Quality of
evidence
Paid and non-
transferable
paternity leave
3%
12,644 9,644
1.31
Limited5%
12,559 9,579
1.31
12%
12,280 9,367
1.31
Summary of the total costs and benefits of the intervention in Gourdes

8. 2nd solution
Increase in the minimum wage for domestic workers

9. Description of the solution
Goal: Improve the income of domestic workers so that they can better meet their
needs and have better access to basic services.
Target population: The main beneficiaries are domestic workers.
Measurement: The minimum wage for domestic workers will increase from 175
gourdes to 250 gourdes per day.
Partner: Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor

10. Implementation costs
Costs in gourdes at a 5% reduction rate (Scenario 1)
Excess lost by employers 3,600,102,229
Additional costs for school children 174,897,442
Total 3,774,999,671
Costs in gourdes at a 5% reduction rate (Scenario 2)
Additional costs for school children 174,897,442
Increased stunting in children of domestic workers 22,176,898
Surpluses lost by employers 3,499,813,667
Loss in education 132,201,915
Total 3,829,089,922

11. Expected Benefits
Total benefits in gourdes at a 5% reduction rate (Scenario 1)
Surplus of domestic workers 3,600,102,229
Additional benefit for enrolled children 743,177,129
Total
4,343,279.359
Total benefits in gourdes at a 5% reduction rate (Scenario 2)
Surplus of domestic workers 3,412,562,618
Additional benefit for enrolled children 710,998,366
Total 4,123,560,984

12. Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR)
Intervention Reduction
Annual benefit (millions,
HTG)
Annual cost
(millions, HTG)
BCR
Quality of evidence
Minimum wage increase with
zero job loss
3% 4,776 3,775 1.27
Limited5% 4,343 3,775 1.15
12% 3,820 3,775 1.01
Minimum wage increase with a
5.57% loss of employment
3% 4,537 3,927 1.16
Limited5% 4,124 3,829 1.08
12% 3.622 3,717 0.97