With banners in hand, agricultural professionals of the province of Dajabón They gathered this Thursday in front of the offices of the Dominican Agrarian Institute (IAD) to demand better working conditionssalary increase and fair pensions.
The demonstration was part of the arrest summoned by the National Association of Agricultural Professionals (ANPA), which brings together technicians, engineers agronomists and workers in the agricultural sector throughout the country.
The event was led by Benigno Toribiopresident of the Northwest Delegation of the ANPAwho highlighted that the situation in the sector is increasingly critical and that many professionals who dedicated their lives to the field today find themselves abandoned.
“We have colleagues with more than 30 years of service, 60 and 65 years old, many sick and bedridden, waiting for a pension that never comes. What we ask is justice and respect for our work,” said Toribio.
As he explained, in the province of Dajabón more than 40 have been canceled agronomistsand at a national level the number exceeds 300 professionals. Furthermore, he reported that there are more than 600 vacant places in agricultural areas that must be occupied by qualified technical personnel.
The protesters also demand a minimum wage of 50,000 pesos and the implementation of productivity incentives and performance, so that professionals can achieve decent salaries from 80,000 to 90,000 pesos, taking into account that the cost of the family basket exceeds the current average salary.
The demands also include the improvement of working conditions in the field, the regularization of hiring and greater state investment in programs that strengthen agricultural and rural development.
national protest
The day of protest It developed peacefully and simultaneously in several provinces of the country, in support of the national call for ANPAdirected by Víctor Hugo “Tito” Hernández, who assured that the union will maintain its fighting plan until obtaining concrete answers from the Government.
“He field It doesn’t stop, but those who support it are being forgotten. Without the agronomiststhere is no food safety“Toribio emphasized.
With signs that read “Without fields there is no food” and “We want decent pensionsnot alms”, the professionals remembered that their fight is not only for a salary, but for respect for a life dedicated to planting, caring for and feeding the country.
