The Dominican Federation of Merchants (FDC), represented by its president Ivan Garciawarned this Thursday about a series of tax violationslabor and health by a considerable part of the retail trade operated by chinese citizens in the country, which he described as a unfair competition and illegal that threatens the survival of national organized commerce.
During the meeting of the National Union of Entrepreneurs (UNE), García pointed out that, after more than a decade of operation in Dominican territory, many businesses of Chinese origin not only continue to evade paying taxes and complying with labor standardsbut now they are aggressively entering sensitive sectors such as industrial and foodwithout respecting basic regulations such as labeled in Spanish nor the corresponding health records.
“They have already registered more than 500 Chinese products in the country, many without complying with the labeling standards. Who understands Chinese here?” García questioned.
“This represents a risk to food safety and a blow to small and medium-sized local supermarkets,” he said.
Furthermore, he reported that:
- 9 out of 10 shops of this origin they do not accept cards nor do they issue tax receipts.
- is hired foreign staff in irregular condition.
- HE evade job responsibilities to the fire employees Dominicans before the expiration of the time required to acquire rights.
- They have expanded into industries such as appliance assembly, light bulb manufacturing, zinc, automotive parts and food.
García stressed that the FDC does not object to the chinese investment nor to the imported products from that country, clarifying that more than 400 members of the Federation buy goods from China.
“What we reject is illegal competition. If there is an association of Chinese merchants that pays their taxes, we accept them in the FDC,” he said.
Government reiterates that all investment must be governed by the law
In this regard, the Minister of Industry, Commerce and MSMEs (MICM), Víctor -Ito- Bisonó, agreed that regulation must be comprehensive and equitable.
“As long as there is legal guaranteesany investment is welcome, but with compliance with the law: taxes, employment contracts, municipal permitseverything,” declared the minister.
Bisonó supported the FDC’s position on the need to apply regulations uniformly:
“It should be the same for everyone. This is how it is being done and we will continue tidying up the house“.
The situation has reactivated the debate on the need for a stricter framework and coordinated between institutions such as the General Directorate of Internal Taxes (DGII), city councils, Public Health and other entities responsible for commerce, employment and health in the Dominican Republic
