Minister of Labor reaffirms commitment to fair wages and formal employment

SANTO DOMINGO. — Minister of Labor Eddy Olivares Ortega reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving wages, combating informal employment, and strengthening workplace safety and health during the observance of International Workers’ Day.

Speaking at an event organized by the country’s three main labor unions, held in the conference hall of the Central Nacional de Unidad Sindical (CNUS), Olivares urged union leaders to join the fight against labor informality in order to uphold workers’ rights and ensure access to social security and dignified pensions for Dominican families.

The event was led by prominent labor figures Rafael “Pepe” Abreu, Gabriel del Río, and Jacobo Ramos, alongside Rafael Santos, director of the National Institute for Technical and Vocational Training (INFOTEP). Minister Olivares commended their leadership and dedication to building a labor movement grounded in social dialogue and the best interests of both the nation and its workers.

He praised President Luis Abinader as a “pro-worker president,” citing wage increases of 20%, 25%, and even 30% across various productive sectors during his administration—measures aimed at addressing the longstanding gap in minimum wage levels and improving future pension benefits.

Olivares emphasized the urgency of reducing the country’s high rate of informality, currently at 56%, and called for a nationwide campaign for formalization.

“Informality is a social wound that we must heal together,” he said.

He also announced the modernization of the Ministry of Labor, including the digitization of services and the integration of artificial intelligence to enhance inspection processes, transparency, and workplace safety. Additionally, he reaffirmed his support for advancing a 21st-century Labor Code, developed in collaboration with workers, employers, and the government.

The minister highlighted ongoing institutional progress, including the recent certification of 555 companies for workplace hygiene and safety compliance.

He also noted the Dominican Republic’s growing international recognition as a model of tripartism—a collaborative approach between government, employers, and workers. This success was recently acknowledged by the International Labour Organization (ILO), which selected the country to host its upcoming regional meeting.