Sinatracom asserted that undocumented foreigners "willing" to be exploited depress conditions.
Taken from Diario Libre
SANTO DOMINGO.- The National Union of Construction Workers (Sinatracom) stated this Thursday that Dominicans are willing to take on the labor force in that sector if working conditions improve.
Alberto Félix Martínez, general secretary of Sinatracom, said that it is no secret that the sector uses foreign labor, especially undocumented workers, to be employed in “depressing” conditions.
Félix Martínez pointed out that there are business owners who question the ability and willingness of Dominican workers to find employment in that sector.
“We are the ones who have built this country over 177 years of republic, and we are the ones who will continue to lead the way in construction,” he said at a press conference.
Sinatracom said it supports the three-month deadline given by the Government to companies and employers to hire foreigners in accordance with the law.
"It is this lack of immigration control that has destabilized working conditions in the sector," said Félix Martínez.
He pointed out that there shouldn't be undocumented foreigners working in the sector if a plan to regularize them was implemented seven years ago.
Construction workers argued that the lack of hygiene, health, and safety in the construction sector makes it unattractive to Dominicans, especially regarding the minimum wage, which they believe should be readjusted.
They demanded compliance with the Labor Code, which states that foreigners in companies cannot exceed 20% of employees, except in justified cases.
Project
They called on the Government to implement the plan they submitted to the Ministry of Labor, "Dominican Hands at Work".
The project establishes a progressive way to reintegrate Dominican workers into the construction sector.
