While the southern part of the country remains under red alert due to the rains of Tropical Storm Melissa, the minister of labor, Eddy Olivaresexplained who should work this Thursdaywhich companies must remain closedwhich employees can work remotely (telecommuting) and how labor standards are applied during the suspension arranged by the Government.
Who can work today?
According to Olivares, the only companies that can operate Normally they are those that offer essential services.
“We are talking about gas stations, pharmacies, hospitalsprivate clinics, companies transportation of goods, security private sector, electricity, telecommunications, grocery stores, supermarkets and uncooked food businesses,” he explained during an interview on the El Despertador program.
He added that these entities carry out permanent functions during the year and that paralyzation could affect the attention to the population or the basic services.
What about the rest of the companies?
The other companies, including stores and non-essential businessesthey must remain closed.
“The resolution 10-2025 establishes the suspension of the work with the purpose of save lives“recalled the minister.
Olivares insisted that the measure applies to the National District and the provinces in red alertwhere the aim is to reduce mobility during the storm.
How is compliance with the measure monitored?
He Ministry of Labor deployed inspectors for supervise that the non-essential establishments remain closed.
“Today the inspectors are on the street. Any store or business that is not among the considered essential and operate will have the consequences established by law,” he warned.
The sanctions include minutes of warning and, if necessary, judicial processes.
What about employees who can work from home?
Olivares recalled that the telecommuting is regulated by the resolution 23-2020 and can be applied volunteer.
“He employer can implement it by agreement with the workers in the provinces in red alertas long as the tasks are compatible with this mode“he explained.
The minister added that this provision seeks to protect the integrity of the personnel without interrupting the essential functions.
How are those who work from home or in essential services?
“They are paid like a normal day of job“Olivares clarified.
The objective of the suspension he said, is to preserve the securitydo not modify the salary conditions. In the case of telecommutingthere is no displacement, so no risk or pay additional for overtime.
What if one company call to work without being authorized?
“Any business that is not essential and calls its employees is violating the resolution. In those cases there will be sanctions“said the official.
He Ministry of Labor He reiterated that the main purpose is to protect life.
“A tragedy can be the loss of a single person. The president has been clear: before natural phenomenathe priority is avoid victims“Olivares stated.
Will it extend suspension of labor?
The minister explained that the resolution governs until this Thursday and that any additional decision will depend on the Emergency Operations Center (COE) and the Dominican Institute of Meteorology (Indomet).
“We cannot advance anything. We will wait for the situational analysis and the technical recommendations“he noted.
