Spanish
Santo Domingo.– The senator for the province of La Altagracia, Rafael Barón Duluc, stated this Tuesday that, despite the proposals and modifications presented by different sectors, the issue of severance pay is not under discussion in the reform of the Labor Code, while he described that debate as “closed”.
“The severance issue is closed. We, from the beginning, have said that it is an acquired right of the workers and that we are not going to accept that a cap is put on it, as some business sectors have suggested”, said the legislator.
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Although he acknowledged that they have received new proposals after the first reading of the project, he made it clear that no attempt to limit that right will be admitted. "The businessmen insist that it is not the only thing they are asking for, but it is part of their request. And we have made it clear to them in meetings that that will not be touched," he pointed out. Barón Duluc explained that severance pay is not an automatic right, but rather contingent, and that it only applies in cases of unfair dismissal.“I don't really understand the insistence of some sectors. Unemployment benefits don't affect everyone, it's only in specific cases. You shouldn't be so afraid of something that doesn't even always apply,” he said.
Regarding the rest of the project, the senator indicated that other suggestions that could be incorporated in the second reading have been evaluated, such as the figure of the conciliator judge and adjustments related to free zones and tips. However, he reiterated that these possible modifications do not affect fundamental rights of workers. Regarding the situation of employees in free trade zones, he clarified that a provision included in the first reading that granted them access to bonuses was removed. "After listening to Adozona and the technicians, we understood that this could put the free zone industry at risk, so we corrected it," he explained. The legislator pointed out that, while there is a general consensus among business owners, workers, and the Government, there are still points under discussion. "The consensus has existed, but they are not the only actors. There are other sectors involved, and we are making the effort to achieve the highest possible level of consensus," he expressed. Finally, regarding the time remaining in the current legislature, Barón Duluc pointed out that, if the project is not approved now, it can be reintroduced in August without having to go through the process in the Senate again.
