They will promote a 30% increase for employees in the tourism sector.
SANTO DOMINGO – President Luis Abinader announced a set of 15 measures , aimed at curbing the migration of Haitian nationals to the country. In a message to the nation, the president said the actions seek to “protect the Dominican Republic and ensure respect for the country’s laws.”
Several of the resolutions mentioned by the president during his address pertain to the real estate, tourism, and construction sectors. In this regard, he announced that the Executive Branch will submit a draft reform bill to the National Congress to strengthen penalties for owners of homes or commercial properties who rent their properties to individuals with irregular immigration status. These are the 15 measures adopted by the Dominican State, as specified by Abinader:
1) The supervisory capacity of the three current border brigades will be expanded into six operational areas under the supervision of a senior officer.
2) Border surveillance will be increased with an additional 1,500 soldiers, adding to the 9,500 already serving on the border.
3) The Ministry of Defense will immediately begin a tender to build an additional 13km to the 54km of border wall already built.
4) A draft reform will be submitted to the National Congress to toughen sanctions in the following cases: government officials, both civilian and military, who facilitate or participate in the entry of undocumented immigrants; organizations or individuals who repeatedly engage in human trafficking in an illegal situation; in addition, we will propose establishing harsh sanctions for cases not covered by current legislation, such as: owners of homes or commercial premises who rent their properties to people with irregular immigration status.
5) Incorporation of 750 new immigration agents.
6) We will expand the operational capacity of the DGM by installing immigration control offices in all provinces of the country.
7) We will modify the market operating regulations to ensure that it is an open door to trade, but not to irregular migration.
8) We will suggest to the Attorney General's Office the creation of the Specialized Prosecutor's Office for Migration Affairs.
9) Expand the efficiency of repatriations throughout the national territory through local governments.
10) Creation of a Citizen Observatory on the Functioning of Migration Policy to monitor compliance and propose corrective measures from civil society. This observatory will operate autonomously and independently, coordinated by journalist Miguel Franjul.
11) We will establish a protocol, which must be ready for implementation by Monday, April 21, requiring NHS hospital staff to demand the following: identification, proof of employment in the country, and a home test result. A fee will also be agreed upon for all services provided. If any of these requirements are not met, the patient will be treated and, once recovered, immediately repatriated. An immigration officer will be stationed at each hospital to ensure compliance with this protocol.
12) To study immigration regulations in light of the current situation in Haiti. We have decided to appoint Dr. Milton Ray Guevara as coordinator of a commission that will carry out this task.
13) We will now promote, in the tripartite wage negotiations, the Dominicanization of employment by advocating a 25% increase in free trade zones and a 30% increase in the tourism sector. Because when work is valued and well-paid, it attracts people.
14) We will guarantee that the beneficiaries of the Supérate program can join the workforce in the construction and agricultural sectors, without losing their support.
15) We will expand the fund administered by the National Development and Export Bank (Bandex) to provide producers' associations and cooperatives with the resources they need for technological transformation. The private construction and agricultural sectors must reach an agreement with the government regarding their industrialization and mechanization within a reasonable timeframe.
