Santo Domingo. – The candidate for the presidency of the Dominican Association of Teachers (ADP)by the Magisterial Force, Adhamilka Espinaldemanded the president Luis Abinader to immediately cease the seizure actions of the teachers’ union accounts.
Espinal described these measures as a direct attack on the independence of the teaching union and a clear maneuver to silence the just demands of the teachers.
The embargo to which the candidate refers corresponds to the collection of an astreinte by the Ministry of Education, product of a court ruling from 2017, which has now been reactivated and notified in 2024.
This sentence originated from the stoppage of teaching in the Educational District 01-03 of Barahona, as a result of a strike organized by the ADP in that period. However, the execution of said sentence and the recent legal actions seek to intervene in the ADP elections and destabilize the union, using as a pretext events that occurred more than seven years ago, which has generated great indignation among teachers.
“These types of legal actions are a blatant attempt to intervene in the ADP elections and stifle any future protests. We are experiencing a crucial moment for the defense of teachers’ rights, and the government cannot, under any circumstances, take away teachers’ voice or autonomy,” Espinal said.
Adhamilka Espinal, who has received extensive support during her visits to all the provinces of the country, being welcomed with enthusiasm in schools by hundreds of teachers, reiterated that she will not allow the dignity of the union to be violated.
“It is not acceptable that in the 21st century, courts and embargoes are used as political weapons to demobilize teachers,” he added.
During his tours he has heard first-hand the concerns of teachers, who have expressed their rejection of these measures and their support for the defense of their labor rights.
“It is time for the government to respect the will of the teachers and for the Minister of Education, instead of promoting embargoes, to focus on improving working conditions and the quality of education,” he said.
Adhamilka, who is emerging as the new president of the ADP, urged teachers to stand firm and not be intimidated by these government actions.
«This October 9, we are going to show that teachers do not give up under pressure. We call on the President and the Minister of Education to immediately stop these repressive actions against the union,” he concluded.
