Labor Inspections and Disputes

Labor inspection is an essential part of Próspera's labor administration system. The ILO Labour Inspection Convention (1947) has been in force in Honduras since 1983, and Article 35 of the ZEDE Organic Law requires Próspera ZEDE to guarantee the labor rights of workers in line with international treaties and the ILO Conventions ratified by Honduras.

The Labor Relations Inspector

Under the Próspera Labor Statute, the Technical Secretary of Próspera ZEDE serves as the Próspera Labor Relations Inspector. You can contact the Labor Relations Inspector at ots@prosperazede.hn.

The Inspector's services include:

• Conciliation meetings between employee and employer

• Legal opinions on labor issues

• Responses to inquiries and questions about labor rights

• Receipt of complaints of labor rights violations

• Receipt of notifications of occupational accidents and illnesses

If you believe your labor rights have been violated, or you need to report a workplace accident or illness, email the Inspector at the address above.

What Labor Law Applies

Próspera ZEDE has its own labor rules — Honduran national labor legislation is not applicable inside the jurisdiction. Labor rules in Próspera are primarily set forth in:

• The Próspera Labor Statute (PDF)

• The Roatán Common Law Code — Restatement of Employment Law (PDF)

• Labor Resolutions approved by the Próspera ZEDE Council of Trustees

• Enforcement Policy Statements issued by the General Service Provider (GSP)

These sit on top of constitutional human-rights protections, international labor treaties ratified by Honduras, and the ZEDE Organic Law. See the official Applicable Labor Law page for the current set of labor rules, and Hiring in Próspera for employer obligations like minimum wage, overtime, and the Labor Benefit Fund.

The Próspera Labor Statute also recognizes the right of employees to organize in a union and peaceably strike, as well as the right not to be unconscionably forced to join a union.

Resolving Labor Disputes

As mandated by Article 139 of the Honduran Constitution and Article 35 of the ZEDE Organic Law, labor disputes in Próspera ZEDE are resolved by arbitration. The Labor Division of the Próspera Arbitration Center (PAC) offers a cost-effective, streamlined process:

1. Notice of Arbitration — the process starts by filing a Notice of Arbitration with the PAC explaining the nature of the dispute and the relief requested. File by email to legal@pac.hn.

2. Response — the respondent has 14 days to respond to the claims.

3. Appointment of Arbitrators — the Center appoints the arbitrator who will hear the dispute under the applicable rules.

4. Oral Hearing — within the following 15 days, an oral hearing (roughly two hours) is scheduled, in person or electronically. Parties may represent themselves or use counsel.

5. Arbitration Award — the tribunal issues an award with the force of a court judgment. Awards are enforceable with the assistance of Próspera ZEDE and the courts of New York Convention member states.

6. Appeal — parties may appeal the award within 10 days of its date.

The official Labor Disputes page describes the process, and the PAC Labor Division rules (PDF) govern the details.