Frente Amplio rejects labor counter-reform and calls to defend workers’ historic achievements

Santo Domingo. – The Labor Affairs Commission of the Frente Amplio expressed its firm rejection of the labor reform proposals promoted by business sectors, which it described as a “regressive counter-reform” that endangers fundamental rights of the Dominican working class. The political organization warned that the proposed initiatives constitute a serious historical setback, by attempting to dismantle achievements made after decades of struggle. Among the main measures questioned are the elimination of severance pay, the extension of the probationary period for the first job from three to six months, and the modification of Article 80 of the Labor Code to eliminate the ten-day deadline for the payment of labor benefits, replacing it with an indefinite scheme. He also pointed out that these proposals respond to a logic of job precariousness and weakening of worker protection mechanisms. “Severance pay is not a privilege, but a minimum guarantee against dismissal,” stated Efraín Sánchez Soriano, head of the aforementioned labor affairs commission of the FA, warning that its elimination would leave employees in a situation of total defenselessness.

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Furthermore, he considered that extending the trial period would especially affect young workers, by encouraging unstable working conditions without real guarantees of permanence. Likewise, he warned about the risks of eliminating the deadline for the payment of benefits, which could give way to abusive practices and evasion of responsibilities by employers. The Broad Front denounced that these initiatives have support in sectors of the National Congress, which in their opinion reflects a disconnection between political representation and the interests of the working people. Faced with this situation, the organization called for the unity of trade unions, social and democratic organizations to confront what it defined as a structural offensive in favor of big capital while urging the promotion of orientation and mobilization days in the municipalities and provinces of the country.