Two years ago, the Regulation for Private Employment Agencies and Connected Services was passed in Honduras. This has not stopped criminal players to keep on operating illegally.

Complaints on irregularities, abuses and bad practices have damaged a sector that, if properly regulated, contributes to countries’ economic and social progress.

The Secretary of Labor has decided to reform the regulations, setting limits to the percentages that agencies may charge to their clients.

The law also states that “in no case may an agency charge any kind of fee or membership” to workers.

Honduras has the opportunity to ratify ILO Convention 181 on Private Employment Agencies, to properly regulate this industry that creates formal employment and articulate private employment agencies and public employment agencies to work together in the development of training of skills based on demand and professionally and efficiently link supply and demand.

Such an initiative will enable to reduce unemployment, increase young people and women’s labor participation, and tackle informality.