The minister of JobLuis Miguel De Camps, stated that all the aspects presented in the bill of labor reform, deposited on October 10 in the Senate of the Republic, have been discussed within the framework of the Labor Advisory Council and, it is understood, that the country must continue to advance and build the next steps on the consensus reached.
De Camps expressed confidence that Congress will approve the proposal, which would allow the country advance towards modern legislation that better protects the rights of the workersemployers and strengthen the Ministry’s tools to have greater coverage in regulatory terms.
“We all know that a few weeks ago a draft reform of the Labor Code was presented to the National Congress that has elements agreed upon by workers, employers and the government. There is nothing in this project that has not been previously agreed upon. (…) There are elements that each sector would like to add, but what we have managed to advance is being able to make the population enjoy these improvements,” the official highlighted.
At the insistence of employer sector of the Dominican Republic on the need to open a space for dialogue about the layoff In the National Congress, the minister reiterated that all the issues were addressed in the tripartite dialogue.
“For more than two years we were talking and discussing all the issues. All topics were part of the conversation. Obviously, we cannot reach consensus on all issues. But yes, we address all issues respectfully, diligently and in depth,” said De Camps.
He added that, after the project approvalother matters of interest will continue to be discussed.
“What we propose is that the country enjoy the consensus reached and, once approved, we will address many other issues, because, although the employer sector has raised legitimate concernsThere are always aspects that need attention,” he stressed.
For its part, Laura Pena Izquierdopresident of the Employers’ Confederation of the Dominican Republic (Copardom), clarified that his organization is not seeking to withdraw the bill, but rather to open a space for legislators to listen to the proposals of the business sector around the layoff.
“What we ask for It is a space in Congress for present our position about the restructuring of the unemployment aid and advance notice. We are not asking that the project be withdrawn, but that we be given the opportunity to be heard,” he stressed.
Peña Izquierdo also mentioned that they have proposed several options to address layoff of the workers and expressed his hope that they will be granted that space in Congress.
Recently, the representative of business sector presented some alternatives to replace the layoffbut clarified that they are open to tripartite dialogue.
Proposals
The options of Copardom to restructure the layoff consist of:
- Establish a limit of years so that there is a limit on the duration of the layoffsuggesting a range of five and eight years.
- Define a salary ceiling so that the calculation basis for the layoff be limited to a specific number of minimum wages.
- The unemployment It could be replaced by the implementation of unemployment insurance. Adopt a model that allows workers to have financial support in the event of dismissal.
- Among the options is the fund of Unemploymentpointed out that a specific fund could be established to serve as an alternative to the current system of layoff.
Both officials spoke within the framework of the XXII Congress of the Employers’ Confederation of the Dominican Republic (Copardom), focused on “Occupational health and safety management in disruptive environments.” This congress brings together national and international experts to debate the prevention of occupational risks in a global context characterized by rapid technological changes and new ways of working.
“Today we face highly disruptive work environmentswhere technology redefines the ways of working, and occupational risks become diversified and more complex,” said the official.
In this context, De Camps said that their responsibility as government leaders is to accompany companies and workers in their adaptation to these changes, providing them with the adequate regulatory frameworkbut also the tools, resources and support necessary so that they can face the challenges of the new era of work.
He said that the Government will continue to bet on the tripartite dialogue between sectors, in order to create inclusive policies that benefit all actors involved.
“It is for this reason that we advocate a modernization of the Labor Codeto strengthen the rights of workers and employers, without compromising the health of those who build the progress of our nation every day,” highlighted the Minister of Labor.
On the other hand, Laura Peña Izquierdo yesterday expressed her concern about the high road accident rate in the country that, according to World of Statistics, ranks first in the world with 65 deaths per 100 thousand inhabitants.
“These figures show us a hard truth: young and productive lives are cut short by recklessness on public roads, by failures in vehicle maintenance, or by the lack of adequate infrastructure,” said the president of Copardom.
In that sense, he said that since Copardom They want to develop collaborative schemes with the Dominican Institute for the Prevention and Protection of Occupational Risks (Idoppril), which, between January and October of this year, has reported 40,520 work accidents, of which 22% occur in the industrial sector, 17% in commerce and 15% in accommodation, food and drink. That is, about 55% of workplace accidents are concentrated in three productive sectors.
“It is worrying that 65% of the accidents reported by Idoppril in that same period occur during the journey, a figure that coincides with that of World of Statistics“he indicated.
