Labor Ministry shuts down 13 businesses on Duarte Avenue

Santo Domingo.- The Ministry of Labor temporarily shut down over a dozen Chinese-owned businesses on Duarte Avenue in the National District on Wednesday due to repeated and serious violations of Dominican labor laws and workplace safety regulations.

Despite prior warnings and sanctions, these businesses continued to disregard legal obligations, prompting the Ministry to take decisive action. Closure notices were posted on the storefronts, citing non-compliance with the Labor Code and Regulation 522-06, which governs occupational health and safety.

The operation, led by the Ministry’s Inspection Directorate, involved 13 commercial establishments and uncovered 207 labor violations and 123 safety breaches. Among the sanctioned businesses were World House, Plaza Rudo, Dola City, Tu Casa Hardware, and Buen Precio Supermarket.

One alarming case involved a store that had double-locked its rear exit, discovered during a post-fire inspection, severely compromising emergency evacuation procedures and putting workers at serious risk. The Ministry’s intervention aims to enforce labor protections and ensure safer working conditions for employees.