Authorities propose to regularize Haitians who work in the construction sector

The General Directorate of Migration intensifies the deportations of illegal Haitians in the tourist province of La Altagracia. The majority is working on the construction of new hotel projects. Different sectors agree that Haitians are necessary for construction work. Therefore, tourist entrepreneurs and the Senator of the Altagracia advocate for a way of regularizing those who come to work. The businessman Frank Rainieri, the founder of the Punta Cana group, thinks that “we could do as in the United States, where there is a six-month work visa.”

He considers that we are far from complying with the quota of no more than 20 % of foreigners and 80 % of Dominicans in companies, but we must start taking the first steps. “Illegality should not be allowed under any justification, who has no document, in any country in the world, has to try to regularize,” said Ranieri. The Senator of the Altagracia, Virgilio Cedeño, believes that the employers of those immigrants can make a part. He understands that builders and producers have to organize and regularize workers.

The legislator assures that in the construction sector, the inverse proportion to that ordered by law is not even achieved, which would be 20% Creoles and 80% immigrants. To increase the participation of Dominicans, Cedeño proposes a long-term regularization plan, at least for 10 years.