The operations resulted in 1,016 reports and 24 stop-work orders due to imminent danger; the Ministry identified non-compliance in the payment of bonuses, overtime and weekly rest
SANTO DOMINGO.- The Ministry of Labor detected labor irregularities in 101 stores and shopping centers owned by Chinese investors, during inspection operations carried out in the National District, the province of Santo Domingo, San Pedro de Macorís and Higüey, which resulted in 1,016 reports and the suspension of work in 24 establishments for representing an imminent danger to the safety of the workers.
The Minister of Labor, Eddy Olivares Ortega, reported that among the main violations is the dismissal of employees before completing three months of work, a practice identified in 91 companies and which, he explained, sought to avoid the accumulation of rights related to vacations and severance pay.
Furthermore, the inspections revealed that 53 establishments did not grant weekly rest, 52 failed to pay bonuses, and 37 did not pay overtime to their workers.
Workplace safety violations detected
In addition to irregularities related to benefits and working hours, inspectors identified breaches of occupational safety and health regulations in 53 establishments.
In that regard, the Ministry ordered the work to be stopped in 24 companies where it found situations of imminent danger to the integrity of the employees, in accordance with Resolution 04/2007.
Furthermore, violations of the provisions of the Labor Code on the nationalization of labor, which regulate the proportion of Dominican and foreign employees that companies can hire, were detected in 33 establishments.
Olivares indicated that the findings show non-compliance with various provisions of labor legislation, so the institution will follow up with the inspected businesses to verify that they correct the irregularities detected.
They draw up more than a thousand reports
The operations took place over eight days in different parts of the country. In San Pedro de Macorís and Higüey, 13 companies were inspected, resulting in 168 citations and eight work stoppages.
Meanwhile, in Santo Domingo East, Santo Domingo West and Santo Domingo North, belonging to the province of Santo Domingo, 34 establishments were inspected, resulting in 302 reports and three shutdowns.
In the National District, the operations covered 54 businesses located on Duarte Avenue and in the Villa Consuelo, Villa Francisca, and Mejoramiento Social neighborhoods. In these areas, 546 reports were filed and 13 businesses were shut down.
In total, the actions resulted in 974 warning notices, through which the establishments were summoned to comply with labor regulations, and 42 violation notices, for a total of 1,016 documents.
The Ministry will monitor the establishments
The minister stated that the inspections are part of the actions aimed at ensuring compliance with labor legislation and the protection of workers' rights in the country.
Consequently, he noted that the Ministry will continue to strengthen inspection and monitoring efforts to ensure that employers correct identified deficiencies and comply with regulations on working conditions, safety, and occupational health.
Finally, Olivares warned that labor legislation must be respected by all companies operating in the Dominican Republic, regardless of the origin or nationality of their owners or investors.
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