Chamber of Deputies approves first reading of Labor Code reform draft

Santo Domingo.- The Chamber of Deputies has approved the Executive Branch’s proposed reform of the Labor Code in its first reading, declaring it an urgent matter. This reform, which seeks to modify Law 16-92 of May 29, 1992, was voted on to expedite the process and then tabled for further discussion, mirroring the handling of the Penal Code bill.

This move follows the Senate’s approval of the reform bill in its second reading, with modifications, aimed at improving working conditions but leaving the issue of unemployment untouched.

Despite the legislative progress, over a hundred business organizations, including the National Council of Private Enterprise (Conep) and the Employers’ Confederation of the Dominican Republic (Copardom), have voiced strong opposition. In a statement, the business sector criticized the reform for disregarding previously agreed-upon advances in tripartite dialogues, introducing unaddressed issues, and omitting key elements necessary for formal job creation.

The statement emphasized that any changes to the Labor Code should result from a broad, participatory process based on technical studies assessing the social and economic impacts, warning that the current reform misses an opportunity for a transformative, inclusive solution.