From the entry into force of the resolution 14-22 of Ministry of Labor on regulation of domestic work in the Dominican Republic that occupation will have a series of parameters that employers and employees must respect; among them, set an amount as salary for this work activity that will not be less than the RD$10,000.00.
Taking this as a reference and using the labor benefit calculator available on the Ministry of Labor website, it can be determined that if a domestic worker earns the minimum availablenamely, RD$10,000.00, and divide this amount between 23.83, which is the average number of days worked per month, a daily salary of RD$419.64 for this work activity.
If we divide this amount by hours worked, taking into account that the resolution establishes a maximum of eight hours per day, the data obtained indicates that one hour of domestic work would be equivalent to RD$52.37.
Read more: When do the new domestic provisions go into effect?
However, the new provision of the Dominican Government establishes that from now on the employer must register the contracts with the Ministry of Labor and take steps to include their worker in the contract. Pension and Social Security System for which you must contribute to the system RD$571.50 Meanwhile he employee will have RD$28.50 for a total of RD$600.00 destined to the AFP and the ARS derived from the labor activity.
This would leave labor compensation for domestic work at a Minimum final salary of RD$9,400.00 monthly, which according to the agreement reached by the employer and the worker can be divided into fortnightly, weekly or daily payments.
What is the difference?
For 2021, a report from the Ministry of Economy, Planning and Development (MEPYD) shows that domestic work in the country was the worst paid activity with a salary of RD$57.00 per hour, despite the fact that last year this sector generated 245 thousand 102 jobs.
The report indicates that during 2021, the monthly income of people employed in domestic work for salary was RD$8,415 per month.
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The research also indicates that domestic work is the one with the least social protection through employment, since it is estimated that only 3.53% were affiliated with health insurance due to their work and 3.08% with the pension system.
The director of Analysis of Poverty, Inequality and Democratic Culture of the Ministry of Economy, Planning and Development, Rosa Cañete Alonso said that domestic work is the branch of activity where the highest percentage of employed women in the country is in a situation of monetary poverty. “20% of domestic workers are in a situation of monetary poverty,” she added.
She highlighted that almost half of the domestic workers in the country are in the Supérate program, which means that they are in a situation of poverty, so improving the living conditions of this sector is essential to reduce gender inequality and to guarantee equality.
The resolution will take effect in three months.
