He suggested modifying Law 6-86 to introduce profound changes that would modernize it and make it effective, thus making it more attractive for Dominicans to work in the construction sector
SANTO DOMINGO – Lawyer and politician José Antonio Trinidad today proposed modifying Law 6-86 to make it more effective and allow Dominican labor to regain its former position in the construction industry.
In that regard, Trinidad argued that this law needs to be amended to improve and modernize it, and to introduce profound changes. Among these changes, she suggested transforming the Construction Workers' Pension Fund into the Social Security and Development Institute for Construction Workers.
He stated that Law 6-86, dated March 4, 1986, created the Construction Workers' Pension Fund and in its articles 1 and 2 it dedicates one percent (1%) of the cost of the work and one percent (1%) of the salaries paid to the workers to said fund, so it requires strengthening it legally to make the percentage established as payment for the value of the construction and the value of the worker's contribution more efficient.
Another change we propose for that Law is the promotion of the Dominicanization of the workforce in the construction sector by requiring that 80% of jobs be offered and carried out by Dominican personnel.
He argued that many Dominicans, including master builders, are no longer willing to work in the construction industry due to the low wages, incentives, and labor benefits offered in the sector, leaving it at the mercy of foreign labor.
“Dominicans have become discouraged from continuing to work in the construction sector, which is worrying, since this sector is the most dynamic in the economy and the one that demands the most labor, at this time the main beneficiaries of these jobs are nationals of other nations, mainly from the neighbors with whom we share the island,” said Trinidad, who served as Attorney for the Environment and Natural Resources.
He explained that those who directly benefit from the wealth produced by the construction sector do not invest or pay taxes in our country; on the contrary, they convert those earnings into remittances and send them back to their country.
He cited as an example that, during 2018, the construction sector disbursed RD$21,541.28 million in wages, of which 89.4% went to nominal salaries and wages. “The vast majority of those salaries ended up in foreign hands, which does nothing to benefit our economy, while our country could be using that money to help combat youth unemployment and thus address crime among those who are neither studying nor working,” he stated.
Trinidad, who also served as a councilman for the Municipality of Santo Domingo East, sent two letters, one to President Luis Abinader and another to the president of the National Federation of Workers of the Construction, Wood and Materials Industry (FONTICOMMC), in which he explains his arguments for the importance of making substantial changes to this legislation, which has been in effect for 35 years.
He emphasized that foreign labor makes up an overwhelming majority of the construction sector, which could serve as a source of employment for many Dominicans, especially young people. However, considering that the sector paid an average salary of RD$19,267.58 in 2018, it is impossible to attract Dominican workers. “We must incentivize and motivate young Dominicans to train and develop their skills in the various areas of the construction trade, which is, moreover, one of the greatest sources of wealth creation and, consequently, the biggest creator of job opportunities,” he stated.
Trinidad said that within his proposed amendment to Law 6-86 is the creation of the Technical Institute for Training and Specialization in the Construction and Related Fields, as a branch of the Institute of Social Security and Development for Construction and Related Workers, with the authority to grant Diplomas and Technical Certifications, subject to compliance with the country's education sector laws, which would help combat unemployment, especially among young people, and at the same time, curb crime.
“For reasons such as these, which are part of your government program, we propose, Mr. President, to promote the nationalization of labor in the construction sector, creating incentives, social security, guarantees of decent pensions, health guarantees, job security, and above all, the creation of thousands of jobs with decent wages for Dominicans,” Trinidad declared in the letter addressed to President Abinader.
