Eddy Olivares defends proposed labor reform at ILO Conference

Switzerland.- Labor Minister Eddy Olivares Ortega stated that the proposed reform to the Labor Code currently under review in Congress will enhance workers’ rights, provide greater legal certainty, and improve the Dominican Republic’s competitiveness.

Speaking at the 114th International Labour Conference of the International Labour Organization, Olivares said the reform aims to modernize the country’s labor framework to reflect evolving market conditions while preserving advances achieved in employment and labor relations. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to social dialogue, decent work, and labor justice, principles he said are central to the administration of President Luis Abinader.

The minister highlighted the Dominican Republic’s strong regional standing in labor rights protection, citing favorable rankings in the International Trade Union Confederation’s Global Rights Index. He also pointed to achievements such as wage increases reached through tripartite agreements, continued growth in formal employment, unemployment levels below 5%, and expanded collective bargaining.

Olivares further underscored the implementation of the Model for Identifying Places with Risk of Child Labor (MITRI), developed with ILO support to strengthen efforts to prevent and eradicate child labor. He concluded by reaffirming the country’s support for the ILO’s tripartite model and expressed confidence that social dialogue will remain a key driver of economic development and social well-being.