The following organizations from the construction and tourism industries signed the agreement: Acoprovi, Adocem, Asonahores, Adopetur, and the La Romana-Bayahibe Hotel Association.
SANTO DOMINGO.- Representatives of more than one hundred business organizations, led by Conep and Copardom, expressed their deep concern and rejection of the approval in the first reading, by the Chamber of Deputies, of the bill to amend the Labor Code, and showed their willingness to continue the dialogue on the matter.
After reviewing the approved text, they reiterated that they maintain the warning made to the Senate, that the piece ignores previously agreed progress in the tripartite dialogue, introduces undiscussed issues and omits fundamental aspects for the generation of formal jobs.
“The Dominican Republic deserves a truly transformative labor reform that generates more and better jobs and contributes to inclusive economic growth, especially in a global context full of challenges,” the business organizations stated.
They lamented the “urgency” with which the deputies are rushing through a reform that ignores the structural issues required for the long-awaited modernization.
From the outset of discussions, the employer sector emphasized the need to update labor legislation and reiterated its willingness to engage in dialogue, with the aim of reaching a consensus that preserves fundamental workers' rights, boosts productivity, promotes the creation of formal jobs, and strengthens the competitiveness of our economy.
"This reform sends a negative signal at a time when the country faces major global challenges that demand stability, confidence and a vision for the future.".
Conditions
“We insist that any reform to the Labor Code must be the result of a broad, participatory process based on technical studies that assess its economic and social impacts. This reform, in its current form, squanders a historic opportunity to achieve something truly significant with the support of all of society,” they emphasized in a press release.
They reiterated their call to the National Congress and the relevant authorities to be prudent and resume tripartite dialogue, with the active participation of employers, workers and the Government, to build a modern, fair regulatory framework adapted to the needs of the current labor market and future generations.
Institutions
The document is signed by:
National Council of Private Enterprise (CONEP)
Employers' Confederation of the Dominican Republic (COPARDOM)
Association of Industries of the Dominican Republic (AIRD)
Dominican Republic Hotel and Tourism Association (ASONAHORES)
Dominican Association of Free Zones (ADOZONA)
Dominican Confederation of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (CODOPYME)
National Organization of Commercial Enterprises (ONEC)
Association of Merchants and Industrialists of Santiago (ACIS)
Association of Industrialists of the Northern Region (AIREN)
Association of Multiple Banks of the Dominican Republic (ABA)
Association of Vehicle Manufacturers' Dealers (ACOFAVE)
Association of Casual and Fast Food Establishments (ADECOR)
Association of Industry and Businesses of Haina and Southern Region (AIE of Haina and Southern Region)
Association of Non-Alcoholic Beverage Industries of the Dominican Republic (ASIBENAS)
Association of Dominican Pharmaceutical Industries (INFADOMI)
Association of Private Educational Institutions (AINEP)
Dominican Republic Shipowners Association (ANRD)
Association of Cigar Producers of the Dominican Republic (PROCIGAR)
Association of Stock Exchange Offices of the Dominican Republic (APB)
Association of Representatives, Agents and Pharmaceutical Producers (ARAPF)
Dominican Association of Trust Companies (ASOFIDOM)
Dominican Association of Pension Fund Administrators (ADAFP)
Dominican Association of Health Risk Administrators (ADARS)
Dominican Association of Housing Builders and Developers (ACOPROVI)
Dominican Association of Insurance Brokers (ADOCOSE)
Dominican Association of Commercial Communication Companies (ADECC)
Dominican Association of Courier Companies (ASODEC)
Dominican Association of Fuel Industry Companies (ADEIC)
Dominican Association of Security Companies (ADESINC)
Dominican Association of Exporters (ADOEXPO)
Dominican Association of Rice Factories (ADOFA)
Dominican Association of Landowners and Farmers, (ADHA)
Dominican Association of Medical Insurance Companies and Health Risk Administrators (ADIMARS)
Dominican Association of Jewelers and Artisans (ASODOJO)
Dominican Association of the Electrical Industry (ADIE)
Dominican Association of Rum Producers (ADOPRON)
Dominican Association of Broadcasters (ADORA)
Dominican Association of Isolated Electrical Systems (ADOSEA)
Dominican Association of Investment Fund Management Companies (ADOSAFI)
National Association of Primary Care (ASONAP)
National Association of Private Clinics and Hospitals (ANDECLIP)
National Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Distributors (ASONADIGAS)
National Propane Gas Association (ANG)
National Association of Young Entrepreneurs (ANJE)
National Association of Private Clinical Laboratories (ANDELAP)
National Association of Rent a Car (ANDRI)
Dominican Republic Stock Exchange and Securities Markets (BVRD)
American Chamber of Commerce of the Dominican Republic (AMCHAMDR)
La Vega Chamber of Commerce and Production (CCPV)
San Cristóbal Chamber of Commerce and Production (CCPSC)
Santiago Chamber of Commerce and Production (CCPS)
Santo Domingo Chamber of Commerce and Production (CCPSD)
Dominican Chamber of Insurers and Reinsurers (CADOAR)
Dominican Chamber of Construction (CADOCON)
Dominican Chamber of Capital Markets (CADOMCA)
Mining and Petroleum Chamber of the Dominican Republic (CAMIPE)
Business Council for the Development of San Cristóbal (CEPEDSC)
National Council of Provision Trade (CNCP)
Dominican Federation of Chambers of Commerce (FEDOCAMARAS)
Dominican League of Savings and Loan Associations (LIDAAPI)
National Business Support Network for Environmental Protection (ECORED)
Representatives – Associated Wine and Spirits Importers (RIVLAS)
Union of Pharmacies
National Association of Herrera Companies and Industries (ANEIH)
Association of Small and Medium-Sized Textile Companies (APIMETEX)
Union of Medium and Small Flour Industries (UMPIH)
Dominican-International Federation of Women Entrepreneurs (FEM)
National Association of Metalworking and Metallurgical Industries (ASONAMECA)
Business Cooperative
National Association of Women Executives, Entrepreneurs and Professionals (ANMEPRO)
National Federation of Retail Provision Merchants (FENACODEP)
Dominican Association of Textile Industries (ADITEX)
Association of Small and Medium-Sized Cosmetic Manufacturers (APYMEFAC)
Dominican Association of Women Entrepreneurs, Inc. (ADME)
Dominican Association of Footwear Manufacturers (ADOCALZA)
Discipline Dominican Association of Graphic and Related Industries (ADIGA)
National Union of School Food Suppliers (UNSAE)
National Council of Small and Medium Enterprises in Cosmetology (CONAPYMECO)
Association of Small and Medium Gas Businesses (ASOPYMEGAS)
La Económica Cooperative
Dominican Association of Hardware Importers (ADOIMFE)
Association of Importers of Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Equipment (AIRA)
Dominican Association of Parks and Tourist Excursions (ADOPETUR)
Dominican Association of Portland Cement Producers (ADOCEM)
La Romana – Bayahibe Hotel Association
