During the XX Regional Meeting of the Americas of the International Labor Organization (ILO), the Dominican authorities and representatives of the Employer sector and union expressed their support for the approval of a New Labor Codewhich will modernize labor relations in the Dominican Republic, adapting them to the economic and productive context of the 21st century.
He Minister of Labor, Eddy Olivaresconfirmed that the reform proposal It has been positively received by the National Congress, and that there is a firm will of both cameras to approve the new code in the coming weeks.
“The most important thing is the clear message that we are going to have a New Labor Code coming soon. There is a productive congress, with the provision of the president of the Senate, Ricardo de los Santosand the president of the Chamber of Deputies, Alfredo Pachecoto know and approve this project that the country urgently needs, “said Olivares.
The minister explained that this reform seeks strengthen labor rights existing, adapt the regulations to New forms of employment and ensure that issues such as TESTITY They are discussed responsibly, without this implying setbacks in the Social protection.
Trade Union Sector: Priority is Labor peace and the social security
Gabriel del Ríorepresentative of the union sector, acknowledged that the concerns of the business are legitimate, but stressed that the central objective should be to maintain the Labor peaceattract investment and generate more decent employment.
“The TESTITY It has not been an obstacle to the country development. We have advanced with her. What should concern us all is the urgent need to reform the system of social securityespecially on issues such as pensions“He said.
Del Río explained that the recent Approval in First Reading in it Senate He respected the tripartite agreements achieved, except for a timely modification to the term of the TESTITY When the case enters litigation, in order to avoid procedural abuses.
Laura Peña Izquierdo: The new code must balance Labor costs
The president of the Patronal Confederation of the Dominican Republic (Copardom), Laura Peña Izquierdopositively valued the progress in legislative approval and assured that there is still space in the Second reading To review some key points, especially related to Labor costs.
“We are confident that in the Second reading Technical observations that we made can be reviewed, such as the recognition of the Labor liabilities And the need to adjust certain articles, such as 86, to set reasonable limits, “he said.
Peña Izquierdo defended the proposal of the Employer sector to expand the probation three to six months, pointing out that it is a measure to promote the Youth employment and allow a more effective evaluation of the new collaborators.
“It is not a strategy to eliminate TESTITYas some have said. It is an opportunity to Train young people without experience and facilitate your entry to formal labor market“He explained.
A 21st century code and an answer to informality
All actors agreed that the reform is necessary to adapt the labor framework to the new technological and economic realities, including the digital economy and the Work by platforms.
Likewise, the country commitment with the Informality reductionone of the main Structural challenges In the region.
Peña Izquierdo highlighted the joint work that is done with the ILO through programs such as Decent work and For Life 2.0although he acknowledged that informality responds to multiple factors, including Altos Labor costs and prosecutors.
