SANTO DOMINGO.- The Dominican Confederation of Micro, Small and Medium Construction Companies (Copymecon) yesterday expressed its support for the 15 measures announced by President Luis Abinader to directly address illegal immigration.
Eliseo Cristopher , president, pointed out that the construction sector is a fundamental engine for economic growth and job creation in the country.
He considered that the measures announced by the government represent a crucial step towards the regularization and strengthening of the business fabric.
He urged the government to strengthen and revitalize the plan, ensuring the active participation of MSMEs and promoting the hiring of Dominican workers in the projects it develops.
To complement the initiatives and ensure a positive and sustainable impact on the construction sector, he recommended the following strategic actions:
National Accelerated Training and Certification Program: In collaboration with the National Institute for Technical and Vocational Training (INFOTEP) and universities, implement an intensive and accelerated national technical training program in various areas of construction (masonry, electricity, plumbing, carpentry, etc.), primarily targeting Dominican youth and women. This program should include skills certification to guarantee the quality and professionalization of the local workforce.
Eliseo Cristopher.
Labor Transition Support Fund for MSMEs: Create a specific fund with public and private resources to support construction MSMEs in the process of formalizing their workforce and hiring Dominican workers. This fund could offer temporary hiring subsidies, credit facilities for investment in equipment, and in-house training.
Tax incentives for hiring Dominican labor: Establish tax incentives (tax deductions, tax credits) for construction companies, especially MSMEs, that demonstrate a significant increase in the hiring of formally employed Dominican workers.
National Registry of Construction Workers: Create a unified national registry of construction workers to identify available labor, their certifications, and their immigration status. This would facilitate the connection between supply and demand for formal employment in the sector.
Awareness and appreciation campaigns for work in construction: Develop nationwide campaigns to promote the value of work in the construction sector among young Dominicans, highlighting professional development opportunities and the benefits of formal employment.
Strengthening labor inspection: Increase the capacity and effectiveness of labor inspection in the construction sector to ensure compliance with labor and immigration laws and to combat informality and exploitation.
Strategic alliances with the education sector: Establish strategic alliances with technical schools and universities to include in their curricula training in specialized areas of construction that currently have a shortage of local labor.
COPYMECON reiterated that the migration problem is not solely the responsibility of the government, but a challenge that concerns the entire Dominican nation. "It is imperative that business leaders, churches, civil society organizations, and every citizen work together in a coordinated manner to find sustainable and effective solutions."
He emphasized that INFOTEP has a fundamental role to play in the mass, high-quality training of the Dominican workforce for the construction sector, contributing significantly to the goal of Dominicanizing employment in this important industry.
The organization stressed the need for the Central Bank, the Monetary Board, and the Superintendency of Banks to implement specific policies and lines of action from the financial system to promote the formalization of companies in the construction sector, facilitating access to credit with favorable conditions for investment in technology, machinery, and working capital.
Copymecon suggested to the General Directorate of Internal Taxes (DGII) to evaluate the implementation of simplified and differentiated tax regimes for formalized construction SMEs, which recognize the particularities of the sector and promote tax compliance without compromising its sustainability.
He reaffirmed his commitment to sustainable development, the creation of decent jobs for Dominicans, and the strengthening of national sovereignty. "We are fully prepared to collaborate closely with the government and all relevant stakeholders to implement these proposals and contribute to the economic and social progress of the Dominican Republic.".
