New Dominican peso explanation
New US Ambassador introduces herself
Pediatricians explain high infant mortality rate
Dominican Society of Cardiology affiliates to European counterpart
Claro telecom system collapse and fraud alert
Tunnels and elevated sections closed for maintenance
Rafael Alburquerque: Dominican Labor Code needs to meet Domestic Workers Convention
Call to legalize marijuana use
Arrest in attack on daughter of bus businessman Freddy Espinal
Interpol captures 13 fugitives in three months
Still no sign of Chilean tourist
Men arrested with marijuana in Puerto Plata
Aldy Bernard is Miss Universe Dominican Republic
U-15 basketball team wins regional cup
Francisco García named new general manager of national basketball team
Estrella gets to third round in US Open qualifiers
Wason Brazoban to perform in Santo Domingo and Puerto Plata
Big Capital at the National Theater
Orquesta de Señoritas at Palacio de Bellas Artes
New Dominican peso explanation
The president of the Dominican Numismatic Society, Isaac Rudman, explained that the adding of the word “dominicano” to the Dominican peso is to comply with Art. 299 of the 2010 Dominican Constitution. The coins now in circulation just say peso, because the name of the country, Dominican Republic, is on the same side of the coin.
Meanwhile, the coordinator of the School of Economy at the Instituto Tecnológico de Santo Domingo (Intec), Rafael Espinal, criticized the minting of the new 2017 coin. He said the cost of minting the coin is more than the value of the coin itself. He said the coin is but a coin collector’s item.
https://www.listindiario.com/econom...explica-razones-de-la-nueva-moneda-de-un-peso
http://hoy.com.do/espinal-no-tiene-sentido-circulacion-moneda-de-peso-en-rd/
New US Ambassador introduces herself
Newly-appointed US Ambassador Robin Bernstein introduced herself to the Dominican people in a video on Instagram. The video is in English with Spanish subtitles. She shared that she is an insurance and real estate businesswoman, who has always shown an interest in contributing to the community. She stressed she believes in the power of fostering consensus through cultural understanding.
And highlighted that the US and the DR share a long-standing history of economic, cultural and personal ties. She says she is looking forward to strengthening these bonds and working together to advance the common goals of citizen security, strong economic growth, education and resilience to natural disasters.
She expressed her pleasure in coming to the country that hosted Jewish settlers during World War II, observing she shares faith, family and religious freedom values with the Dominican people. She also expressed her pleasure at arriving in time for the winter baseball season.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BnAD2pWjbCU/?hl=en&taken-by=embajadausaenrd
Pediatricians explain high infant mortality rate
Pedriaticians Águeda Pichardo and Marcos de Mota attributed the country’s high infant mortality rate to the deteriorating condition of public hospitals and the high number of teenage pregnancies. The pediatricians call for more investment on behalf of the government in the health sector.
The pediatricians questioned the government’s logic in blaming the physicians for the infant mortality problem. Dr. Águeda Pichardo is the president of the Dominican Pediatrics Society in Santiago. Dr. Marcos de Mota is president of the Scientific Committee of the 7th Pediatrics Sessions and the 5th Congress of graduates of the Hospital Infantil Arturo Grullón in Santiago. The physicians noted that up to three patients have shared the same bed at that hospital – an indication of the lack of adequate conditions in many public hospitals in the country. Also participating in the event was the president of the Dominican Medical Guild (CMD) Wilson Roa.
http://hoy.com.do/citan-factores-del-aumento-de-la-mortalidad-infantil/
Dominican Society of Cardiology affiliates to European counterpart
The Dominican Society of Cardiology signed in Munich, Germany during the recent European Cardiology Congress an affiliation agreement with the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). Dr. Claudia Almonte, president of Dominican Society of Cardiology signed for the Dominican Republic. Jeroen Bax, president of the European Society of Cardiologists signed for the Europeans.
The two-year agreement seeks to strengthen Dominican cardiology practice. Among the benefits is free registration to the European Cardiology Congress for a selection of Dominican physicians each year, registration in several European activities, joint scientific collaboration, participation in training programs in Europe, presentation and carrying out of research, and the possibility of this being published in ESC publications. Dominican Society of Cardiology members will have access to publications such as ESC CardioMed and The European Heart Journal, among others.
http://elnacional.com.do/acuerdo-permitira-a-cardiologos-dominicanos-afiliaciones-en-europa/
Claro telecom system collapse and fraud alert
On Sunday and Monday, 26-28 August 2018, the Claro telecom system was down for hours, making for a crisis for those who depend on the mobile and Internet telecommunications. The company has apologized but not given explanations.
Likewise, Claro is alerting its customers against fraudulent calls. In a note shared on the telecom company’s social media, the company alerts its customers to not return calls to areas with area code 375, 371, 370, 563, 255 because this could be fraud. The calls are being made to persons and then the caller makes it appear as if the call has crashed. The person usually returns the call and then is a victim of fraudulent charges of upwards of EUR30. Worse still, the system allows the hacker to steal your list of contacts and financial information. When receiving a call from any of those area codes, just let the telephone ring, says Claro.
https://www.elcaribe.com.do/2018/08...de-area-extrano-cuidado-puede-ser-una-estafa/
Tunnels and elevated sections closed for maintenance
The Ministry of Public Works and Communications (MOPC) has announced that during the week they will be closing several tunnels and elevated sections in both direction in Santo Domingo for cleaning and maintenance.
Today, Tuesday 28 August, the tunnel on 27 February with Maximo Gomez will be shut as well as the elevated section on Kennedy with Ortega and Gasset.
On Wednesday and Thursday it will be the tunnel of 27 February between Winston Churchill and Abraham Lincoln. In addition on Thursday, the elevated section on Máximo Gómez with Nicolás de Ovando will be worked on. On Friday, the tunnel on the Las Americas Highway will be closed to traffic for maintenance.
All of the closures will be from 10:30pm to 5:30am.
http://eldia.com.do/obras-publicas-...lunes-tuneles-y-elevados-por-mantenimiento-3/
Rafael Alburquerque: Dominican Labor Code needs to meet Domestic Workers Convention
Former Vice President and labor expert, Rafael Alburquerque says that the domestic help in the Dominican Republic technically is subject to the same labor laws as any other employee. He said the Dominican Republic is a signatory of the C189 - Domestic Workers Convention, 2011, of the International Labor Organization (ILO). He says the agreement was ratified by the President Danilo Medina in 2013 and published in the Gaceta Oficial, making it law immediately.
He says that for the convention stipulations to become law, the government needs just to reform the Labor Code. The convention orders that overtime, rest periods and paid vacations and permissions that are applicable to other employees, apply to all domestic help.
A report in Diario Libre explains that around 250,000 people work in household services, mostly women with low skills. Wages range from RD$3,000 to RD$13,000 a month, depending on nature and duration of the work. As reported, increasingly, less households employ live in help, and more of the fragmented kind, where staff comes a certain number of days a week. The same staff makes ends meet by home by holding jobs in different households.
The Labor Code at present makes it obligatory for employers to provide two weeks of annual vacation time and Christmas double wage. Pregnancy leave and severance payments are not part of the regular package.
In turn, the ILO convention domestic help establishes:
“Each member shall take measures towards ensuring equal treatment between domestic workers and workers generally in relation to normal hours of work, overtime compensation, periods of daily and weekly rest and paid annual leave in accordance with national laws, regulations or collective agreements, taking into account the special characteristics of domestic work.”
It also establishes: “Each member shall take measures to ensure that domestic workers enjoy minimum wage coverage, where such coverage exists, and that remuneration is established without discrimination based on sex.”
Regarding maternity, the convention establishes:
“Each member shall take appropriate measures, in accordance with national laws and regulations and with due regard for the specific characteristics of domestic work, to ensure that domestic workers enjoy conditions that are not less favorable than those applicable to workers generally in respect of social security protection, including with respect to maternity.
The measures referred to in the preceding paragraph may be applied progressively, in consultation with the most representative organizations of employers and workers and, where they exist, with organizations representative of domestic workers and those representative of employers of domestic workers.
A bill proposal prepared by the Inter-sectorial Gender Table calls for more regulation to domestic help, vacations, overtime, and a minimum wage, working hours.
https://www.ilo.org/dyn/normlex/en/f?p=NORMLEXPUB:12100:0::NO::P12100_ILO_CODE:C189
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticia...se-necesita-adaptar-codigo-laboral-BE10637152
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticias/plantean-legislacion-para-regular-trabajo-domestico-AF10628945
Call to legalize marijuana use
Radhamés de la Rosa, the executive director of Casa Abierta, an institution that helps those with drug addiction problems to recover, has proposed that the consumption of marijuana in the Dominican Republic be legalized. He cited the example of Uruguay, where marijuana has been legalized since 1974 and the consumption and production are controlled by the state. He said that before then, the marijuana consumer spent around US$10 a month on the drug but now that has been reduced to US$1.50, including a tax to the government.
He went on to say that currently government policies have led to the clandestine use of the drug. He maintained that marijuana is less dangerous than other drugs that are authorized, regulated and provide taxation income, such as alcohol and tobacco products.
Julio Díaz Capellán, director of Hogares Crea, another drug addict rehabilitation center, rejects that the Dominican Republic copy the Uruguayan model where the state controls the marketing, production and manufacturing of marijuana be applied here. He said here the state has not been able to control the clandestine markets of already accepted vices, such as alcohol and cigarettes. He rejected the recreational use of marijuana. Nevertheless, he approves the medicinal use of the plant.
http://almomento.net/casa-abierta-propone-legalizacion-uso-marihuana-en-rep-dominicana/
https://www.elcaribe.com.do/2018/08/28/panorama/pais/hogar-crea-se-opone-legalizar-marihuana/
Arrest in attack on daughter of bus businessman Freddy Espinal
National Police spokesman, Colonel Frank Duran announced the arrest of the man suspected of assaulting the daughter of businessman Freddy Espinal, owner of Transporte Espinal in Santiago.
Maria Altagracia Espinal Vargas was severely injured in the attack on 27 July 2018 and is still in hospital in the United States. As reported, she has lost vision in one eye.
The suspect is 33-year old Anyery Manuel Valdez Torres, also known as Jonathan, who had been contracted to paint her apartment prior to committing the crime.
https://www.listindiario.com/la-rep...o-de-transporte-espinal-le-conoceran-coercion
Interpol captures 13 fugitives in three months
Members of Interpol in the Dominican Republic have captured 13 fugitives in the last three months in the country, both foreign and Dominican who had been sought for a range of crimes such as homicide, drug trafficking, fraud, high tech crimes and illegal immigration. Among those captured were four Dominicans, one Dominican American, three Canadians, two Venezuelans, one Dutchman, a Colombian, a Hungarian and a German.
One of the Dominicans was 21-year old Miguel Ripken Guerrero Montero, who was arrested when trying to leave the country for Jamaica at Las Americas Airport as he is wanted by the Dominican justice system.
The second Dominican is Marcos Antonio Almánzar García, who was arrested at the International Cibao Airport after returning from Cuba and who has a long rap sheet including bank robbery. Two other Dominicans under arrest now are Germán Edilio Almonte Hernández and Víctor Manuel Asencio Ureña, both deportees from the United States who were arrested in Haina, San Cristobal as they are wanted by the Dominican justice system.
Dominican-American Ramón Eliezer Gutiérrez Méndez, aged 45, was arrested in Haiti with an international arrest warrant, accused of murder.
Canadian Stephane Danny Carrier, aged 36, was arrested in his apartment in Bavaro, where agents seized 32 packets of cocaine, two pistols and military equipment. He is the subject of an international arrest warrant for tax evasion and fraud in Germany.
German Eberhard Wahler, aged 61, was arrested in Punta Cana, accused of tax fraud in his home country.
Canadian Denis Deputaux, aged 24, was captured in Puerto Plata accused of conspiracy and drug dealing in Canada. Fellow Canadian, 28 year old Kenny Joseph Pasacal was arrested in Boca Chica having been accused of drug dealing back in Canada.
Hungarian Attila Csaba Farkas, aged 42, was deported to Hungary accused of murder and fraud and his compatriot 43 year old Lazlo Farkas, was also deported accused of murder.
Venzuelan Jesús Eduardo Brito Medina, aged 27, was arrested with outstanding warrants in the United States, Colombian, 32-year old Jorge Fabián Mora García, was accused of fraud. Dutchman Richard Hendrid Horsten, aged 66, was deported for residing illegally in the Dominican Republic.
http://almomento.net/interpol-dominicana-capturo-a-13-profugos-en-los-ultimos-tres-meses/
Still no sign of Chilean tourist
More than 10 days ago the disappearance of a man from Chile, 54-year old Jaime Vera Galvéz, was reported. He was a tourist in Bayahibe and the authorities have still not been able to locate him.
Carrying out the search are members of Cestur, the Dominican Air Force, the National Police and Civil Defense using helicopters and rescue dogs.
Galvez is a bank executive in Chile and entered by the International Airport of Punta Cana. He spent a couple of days in Punta Cana before moving to Bayahibe. His return ticket was for 16 August but he did not board the plane.
Last Thursday his mobile phone was tracked to Manabao in Jarabacoa, so it is thought he went to climb Pico Duarte that is normally done in a group and with a professional guide.
Over the weekend the search moved to the East National Park, to the south of La Altagracia province that is more than 400 kilometers large. At the entrance to the park a bicycle was found that was supposedly used by Galvez to get to the park and the park guard said that he did see a tourist enter the park.
Galvez left his hotel on Monday 13 August 2018 after leaving his luggage and passport and has not yet returned. His brother recently arrived in the country to join the search.
http://www.eltiempo.com.do/lo-que-s...-el-turista-chileno-desaparecido-en-bayahibe/
Men arrested with marijuana in Puerto Plata
Two men have been arrested by the National Police on the Puerto Plata-Navarrete road with ten packs of marijuana weighing 50 pounds. They were travelling in a public shared taxi and were identified as from the municipality of Restauración and his brother José Altagracia Durán Moreno, from the National District. The vehicle was being driven Elvis Salvador Cabrera, who worked on the public transport route from Puerto Plata-Santiago.
http://almomento.net/puerto-plata-detienen-2-hombres-con-50-libras-de-marihuana/
Aldy Bernard is Miss Universe Dominican Republic
The Miss Universe Dominican Republic jurors chose 6-foot tall Aldy Bernard from Laguna Salada, Valverde province to represent the country in the Miss Universe contest scheduled for Bangkok, Thailand on 16 December 2018.
The 23-year old is a professional model with the Ossygeno Models Management agency, master of ceremonies and mass communications graduate, Bernard was chosen from 20 participants in the event that took place on Sunday, 26 August 2018 at the Gran Arena del Cibao in Santiago. She had also won the best face and best typical costume awards.
Other contestants receiving awards were Roxannie Rodríguez, Peravia, Best Body; Paola Hórber, Elías Piña, Most Talented and Miss Reality Show; María Celeste Vargas, La Romana, Miss Friendship; Karen Vásquez, Santo Domingo West, Miss Communication; and Emely Ruiz, Valverde, Miss Photogenic.
https://www.listindiario.com/la-vid...e-ceremonias-asi-es-la-nueva-miss-rd-universo
http://hoy.com.do/aldy-bernard-repr...como-miss-republica-dominicana-universo-2018/
https://www.instagram.com/aldybernard/?hl=en
U-15 basketball team wins regional cup
The future looks bright for Dominican basketball. This is the conclusion of many experts after the Dominican U-15 team won the U-15 Caribbean Basketball Cup, with an undefeated record of 6-0. The tournament ended on Sunday, 26 August 2018, with a 74-44 defeat by the Dominican team over the competitors from Mexico. It was played at the San Carlos and San Lázaro clubs courts in Santo Domingo.
The event was organized by José (Maita) Mercedes, who is the director of the national teams project of the Dominican Basketball Federation. It was sponsored by the Ministry of Sports, Creso and Molten, Nike and Gatorade.
http://elnacional.com.do/equipo-nacional-u-15-campeon-copa-basket-del-caribe/
Francisco García named new general manager of national basketball team
Former NBA basketball player and Dominican national team player Fancisco García has been appointed to lead the national basketball team as it seeks to be one of seven teams to represent the Americas in the FIBA Basketball World Cup in China 2018.
The second round of the Americas qualifier consists of three windows that will be taking place in September and November 2018 and February 2019. The September window starts 13 September.
The Dominican Republic will be playing in Group F against Venezuela, Brazil, Canada, Virgin Islands and Chile.
http://www.fiba.basketball/basketballworldcup/2019/americas-qualifiers
Estrella gets to third round in US Open qualifiers
Víctor Estrella moved into the third qualifying round of the US Open after defeating Bjorn Fratangelo 7-6, 6-3 and J. Zopp 3-6, 6-1. His US Open run ended in fourth round when he lost to Italian Stefano Travaglia, 4-6, 0-6. Travaglia had defeated Evan King 4-6, 6-3 and 6-4.
https://www.elcaribe.com.do/2018/08...rella-avanza-tercera-ronda-en-clasificatorio/
https://www.usopen.org/en_US/players/overview/atpe224.html
Wason Brazoban to perform in Santo Domingo and Puerto Plata
Wason Brazobán is booked for a performance on Saturday, 15 September, at the Teatro La Fiesta of the Jaragua Renaissance Hotel and then again on Sunday, 23 September 2018, at the Puerto Plata Amphitheater. Monday, 24 September is a holiday, celebrating the Virgen de las Mercedes. Brazoban promises to sing his best hits.
Listen to his music at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkHZ6ES6R38
Big Capital at the National Theater
The drama “Big Capital” will be playing at the Sala Ravelo of the National Theater this weekend. The play, written by Dominican Iván Alcántara, is a dramatic comedy in which lives of two young women become entangled over a financial transaction.
Tickets are for sale online at Uepa Tickets or at the box office of the National Theater. The play is this weekend, 30, 31 August and 1 September 2018 at 8:30pm. Sundays at 6:30pm. Rated R.
https://www.uepatickets.com/Tickets.aspx?id=8857
Orquesta de Señoritas at Palacio de Bellas Artes
Orquesta de Señoritas is the story of seven women played by men. The drama comedy opens at the Palacio de Bellas Artes from 13 September 2018. Shows on 14, 15 September at 8:30pm. On Sunday, 16 September at 6:30pm. It continues on from Tuesday 18 September, 19, 20, 21, 22 September at 8:30pm, and Sunday, 23 September at 6:30pm.
Starring Leonardo Villalobos, Pepe Sierra, Manolo Ozuna, Phillip Rodríguez, Ricahrd Douglas, Josué Guerrero and Miguel Alcántara. Directed by Elvira Taveras. Production Pedro Jimenez and Anibelca Rosario.
https://www.uepatickets.com/Tickets.aspx?id=8902
New US Ambassador introduces herself
Pediatricians explain high infant mortality rate
Dominican Society of Cardiology affiliates to European counterpart
Claro telecom system collapse and fraud alert
Tunnels and elevated sections closed for maintenance
Rafael Alburquerque: Dominican Labor Code needs to meet Domestic Workers Convention
Call to legalize marijuana use
Arrest in attack on daughter of bus businessman Freddy Espinal
Interpol captures 13 fugitives in three months
Still no sign of Chilean tourist
Men arrested with marijuana in Puerto Plata
Aldy Bernard is Miss Universe Dominican Republic
U-15 basketball team wins regional cup
Francisco García named new general manager of national basketball team
Estrella gets to third round in US Open qualifiers
Wason Brazoban to perform in Santo Domingo and Puerto Plata
Big Capital at the National Theater
Orquesta de Señoritas at Palacio de Bellas Artes
New Dominican peso explanation
The president of the Dominican Numismatic Society, Isaac Rudman, explained that the adding of the word “dominicano” to the Dominican peso is to comply with Art. 299 of the 2010 Dominican Constitution. The coins now in circulation just say peso, because the name of the country, Dominican Republic, is on the same side of the coin.
Meanwhile, the coordinator of the School of Economy at the Instituto Tecnológico de Santo Domingo (Intec), Rafael Espinal, criticized the minting of the new 2017 coin. He said the cost of minting the coin is more than the value of the coin itself. He said the coin is but a coin collector’s item.
https://www.listindiario.com/econom...explica-razones-de-la-nueva-moneda-de-un-peso
http://hoy.com.do/espinal-no-tiene-sentido-circulacion-moneda-de-peso-en-rd/
New US Ambassador introduces herself
Newly-appointed US Ambassador Robin Bernstein introduced herself to the Dominican people in a video on Instagram. The video is in English with Spanish subtitles. She shared that she is an insurance and real estate businesswoman, who has always shown an interest in contributing to the community. She stressed she believes in the power of fostering consensus through cultural understanding.
And highlighted that the US and the DR share a long-standing history of economic, cultural and personal ties. She says she is looking forward to strengthening these bonds and working together to advance the common goals of citizen security, strong economic growth, education and resilience to natural disasters.
She expressed her pleasure in coming to the country that hosted Jewish settlers during World War II, observing she shares faith, family and religious freedom values with the Dominican people. She also expressed her pleasure at arriving in time for the winter baseball season.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BnAD2pWjbCU/?hl=en&taken-by=embajadausaenrd
Pediatricians explain high infant mortality rate
Pedriaticians Águeda Pichardo and Marcos de Mota attributed the country’s high infant mortality rate to the deteriorating condition of public hospitals and the high number of teenage pregnancies. The pediatricians call for more investment on behalf of the government in the health sector.
The pediatricians questioned the government’s logic in blaming the physicians for the infant mortality problem. Dr. Águeda Pichardo is the president of the Dominican Pediatrics Society in Santiago. Dr. Marcos de Mota is president of the Scientific Committee of the 7th Pediatrics Sessions and the 5th Congress of graduates of the Hospital Infantil Arturo Grullón in Santiago. The physicians noted that up to three patients have shared the same bed at that hospital – an indication of the lack of adequate conditions in many public hospitals in the country. Also participating in the event was the president of the Dominican Medical Guild (CMD) Wilson Roa.
http://hoy.com.do/citan-factores-del-aumento-de-la-mortalidad-infantil/
Dominican Society of Cardiology affiliates to European counterpart
The Dominican Society of Cardiology signed in Munich, Germany during the recent European Cardiology Congress an affiliation agreement with the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). Dr. Claudia Almonte, president of Dominican Society of Cardiology signed for the Dominican Republic. Jeroen Bax, president of the European Society of Cardiologists signed for the Europeans.
The two-year agreement seeks to strengthen Dominican cardiology practice. Among the benefits is free registration to the European Cardiology Congress for a selection of Dominican physicians each year, registration in several European activities, joint scientific collaboration, participation in training programs in Europe, presentation and carrying out of research, and the possibility of this being published in ESC publications. Dominican Society of Cardiology members will have access to publications such as ESC CardioMed and The European Heart Journal, among others.
http://elnacional.com.do/acuerdo-permitira-a-cardiologos-dominicanos-afiliaciones-en-europa/
Claro telecom system collapse and fraud alert
On Sunday and Monday, 26-28 August 2018, the Claro telecom system was down for hours, making for a crisis for those who depend on the mobile and Internet telecommunications. The company has apologized but not given explanations.
Likewise, Claro is alerting its customers against fraudulent calls. In a note shared on the telecom company’s social media, the company alerts its customers to not return calls to areas with area code 375, 371, 370, 563, 255 because this could be fraud. The calls are being made to persons and then the caller makes it appear as if the call has crashed. The person usually returns the call and then is a victim of fraudulent charges of upwards of EUR30. Worse still, the system allows the hacker to steal your list of contacts and financial information. When receiving a call from any of those area codes, just let the telephone ring, says Claro.
https://www.elcaribe.com.do/2018/08...de-area-extrano-cuidado-puede-ser-una-estafa/
Tunnels and elevated sections closed for maintenance
The Ministry of Public Works and Communications (MOPC) has announced that during the week they will be closing several tunnels and elevated sections in both direction in Santo Domingo for cleaning and maintenance.
Today, Tuesday 28 August, the tunnel on 27 February with Maximo Gomez will be shut as well as the elevated section on Kennedy with Ortega and Gasset.
On Wednesday and Thursday it will be the tunnel of 27 February between Winston Churchill and Abraham Lincoln. In addition on Thursday, the elevated section on Máximo Gómez with Nicolás de Ovando will be worked on. On Friday, the tunnel on the Las Americas Highway will be closed to traffic for maintenance.
All of the closures will be from 10:30pm to 5:30am.
http://eldia.com.do/obras-publicas-...lunes-tuneles-y-elevados-por-mantenimiento-3/
Rafael Alburquerque: Dominican Labor Code needs to meet Domestic Workers Convention
Former Vice President and labor expert, Rafael Alburquerque says that the domestic help in the Dominican Republic technically is subject to the same labor laws as any other employee. He said the Dominican Republic is a signatory of the C189 - Domestic Workers Convention, 2011, of the International Labor Organization (ILO). He says the agreement was ratified by the President Danilo Medina in 2013 and published in the Gaceta Oficial, making it law immediately.
He says that for the convention stipulations to become law, the government needs just to reform the Labor Code. The convention orders that overtime, rest periods and paid vacations and permissions that are applicable to other employees, apply to all domestic help.
A report in Diario Libre explains that around 250,000 people work in household services, mostly women with low skills. Wages range from RD$3,000 to RD$13,000 a month, depending on nature and duration of the work. As reported, increasingly, less households employ live in help, and more of the fragmented kind, where staff comes a certain number of days a week. The same staff makes ends meet by home by holding jobs in different households.
The Labor Code at present makes it obligatory for employers to provide two weeks of annual vacation time and Christmas double wage. Pregnancy leave and severance payments are not part of the regular package.
In turn, the ILO convention domestic help establishes:
“Each member shall take measures towards ensuring equal treatment between domestic workers and workers generally in relation to normal hours of work, overtime compensation, periods of daily and weekly rest and paid annual leave in accordance with national laws, regulations or collective agreements, taking into account the special characteristics of domestic work.”
It also establishes: “Each member shall take measures to ensure that domestic workers enjoy minimum wage coverage, where such coverage exists, and that remuneration is established without discrimination based on sex.”
Regarding maternity, the convention establishes:
“Each member shall take appropriate measures, in accordance with national laws and regulations and with due regard for the specific characteristics of domestic work, to ensure that domestic workers enjoy conditions that are not less favorable than those applicable to workers generally in respect of social security protection, including with respect to maternity.
The measures referred to in the preceding paragraph may be applied progressively, in consultation with the most representative organizations of employers and workers and, where they exist, with organizations representative of domestic workers and those representative of employers of domestic workers.
A bill proposal prepared by the Inter-sectorial Gender Table calls for more regulation to domestic help, vacations, overtime, and a minimum wage, working hours.
https://www.ilo.org/dyn/normlex/en/f?p=NORMLEXPUB:12100:0::NO::P12100_ILO_CODE:C189
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticia...se-necesita-adaptar-codigo-laboral-BE10637152
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticias/plantean-legislacion-para-regular-trabajo-domestico-AF10628945
Call to legalize marijuana use
Radhamés de la Rosa, the executive director of Casa Abierta, an institution that helps those with drug addiction problems to recover, has proposed that the consumption of marijuana in the Dominican Republic be legalized. He cited the example of Uruguay, where marijuana has been legalized since 1974 and the consumption and production are controlled by the state. He said that before then, the marijuana consumer spent around US$10 a month on the drug but now that has been reduced to US$1.50, including a tax to the government.
He went on to say that currently government policies have led to the clandestine use of the drug. He maintained that marijuana is less dangerous than other drugs that are authorized, regulated and provide taxation income, such as alcohol and tobacco products.
Julio Díaz Capellán, director of Hogares Crea, another drug addict rehabilitation center, rejects that the Dominican Republic copy the Uruguayan model where the state controls the marketing, production and manufacturing of marijuana be applied here. He said here the state has not been able to control the clandestine markets of already accepted vices, such as alcohol and cigarettes. He rejected the recreational use of marijuana. Nevertheless, he approves the medicinal use of the plant.
http://almomento.net/casa-abierta-propone-legalizacion-uso-marihuana-en-rep-dominicana/
https://www.elcaribe.com.do/2018/08/28/panorama/pais/hogar-crea-se-opone-legalizar-marihuana/
Arrest in attack on daughter of bus businessman Freddy Espinal
National Police spokesman, Colonel Frank Duran announced the arrest of the man suspected of assaulting the daughter of businessman Freddy Espinal, owner of Transporte Espinal in Santiago.
Maria Altagracia Espinal Vargas was severely injured in the attack on 27 July 2018 and is still in hospital in the United States. As reported, she has lost vision in one eye.
The suspect is 33-year old Anyery Manuel Valdez Torres, also known as Jonathan, who had been contracted to paint her apartment prior to committing the crime.
https://www.listindiario.com/la-rep...o-de-transporte-espinal-le-conoceran-coercion
Interpol captures 13 fugitives in three months
Members of Interpol in the Dominican Republic have captured 13 fugitives in the last three months in the country, both foreign and Dominican who had been sought for a range of crimes such as homicide, drug trafficking, fraud, high tech crimes and illegal immigration. Among those captured were four Dominicans, one Dominican American, three Canadians, two Venezuelans, one Dutchman, a Colombian, a Hungarian and a German.
One of the Dominicans was 21-year old Miguel Ripken Guerrero Montero, who was arrested when trying to leave the country for Jamaica at Las Americas Airport as he is wanted by the Dominican justice system.
The second Dominican is Marcos Antonio Almánzar García, who was arrested at the International Cibao Airport after returning from Cuba and who has a long rap sheet including bank robbery. Two other Dominicans under arrest now are Germán Edilio Almonte Hernández and Víctor Manuel Asencio Ureña, both deportees from the United States who were arrested in Haina, San Cristobal as they are wanted by the Dominican justice system.
Dominican-American Ramón Eliezer Gutiérrez Méndez, aged 45, was arrested in Haiti with an international arrest warrant, accused of murder.
Canadian Stephane Danny Carrier, aged 36, was arrested in his apartment in Bavaro, where agents seized 32 packets of cocaine, two pistols and military equipment. He is the subject of an international arrest warrant for tax evasion and fraud in Germany.
German Eberhard Wahler, aged 61, was arrested in Punta Cana, accused of tax fraud in his home country.
Canadian Denis Deputaux, aged 24, was captured in Puerto Plata accused of conspiracy and drug dealing in Canada. Fellow Canadian, 28 year old Kenny Joseph Pasacal was arrested in Boca Chica having been accused of drug dealing back in Canada.
Hungarian Attila Csaba Farkas, aged 42, was deported to Hungary accused of murder and fraud and his compatriot 43 year old Lazlo Farkas, was also deported accused of murder.
Venzuelan Jesús Eduardo Brito Medina, aged 27, was arrested with outstanding warrants in the United States, Colombian, 32-year old Jorge Fabián Mora García, was accused of fraud. Dutchman Richard Hendrid Horsten, aged 66, was deported for residing illegally in the Dominican Republic.
http://almomento.net/interpol-dominicana-capturo-a-13-profugos-en-los-ultimos-tres-meses/
Still no sign of Chilean tourist
More than 10 days ago the disappearance of a man from Chile, 54-year old Jaime Vera Galvéz, was reported. He was a tourist in Bayahibe and the authorities have still not been able to locate him.
Carrying out the search are members of Cestur, the Dominican Air Force, the National Police and Civil Defense using helicopters and rescue dogs.
Galvez is a bank executive in Chile and entered by the International Airport of Punta Cana. He spent a couple of days in Punta Cana before moving to Bayahibe. His return ticket was for 16 August but he did not board the plane.
Last Thursday his mobile phone was tracked to Manabao in Jarabacoa, so it is thought he went to climb Pico Duarte that is normally done in a group and with a professional guide.
Over the weekend the search moved to the East National Park, to the south of La Altagracia province that is more than 400 kilometers large. At the entrance to the park a bicycle was found that was supposedly used by Galvez to get to the park and the park guard said that he did see a tourist enter the park.
Galvez left his hotel on Monday 13 August 2018 after leaving his luggage and passport and has not yet returned. His brother recently arrived in the country to join the search.
http://www.eltiempo.com.do/lo-que-s...-el-turista-chileno-desaparecido-en-bayahibe/
Men arrested with marijuana in Puerto Plata
Two men have been arrested by the National Police on the Puerto Plata-Navarrete road with ten packs of marijuana weighing 50 pounds. They were travelling in a public shared taxi and were identified as from the municipality of Restauración and his brother José Altagracia Durán Moreno, from the National District. The vehicle was being driven Elvis Salvador Cabrera, who worked on the public transport route from Puerto Plata-Santiago.
http://almomento.net/puerto-plata-detienen-2-hombres-con-50-libras-de-marihuana/
Aldy Bernard is Miss Universe Dominican Republic
The Miss Universe Dominican Republic jurors chose 6-foot tall Aldy Bernard from Laguna Salada, Valverde province to represent the country in the Miss Universe contest scheduled for Bangkok, Thailand on 16 December 2018.
The 23-year old is a professional model with the Ossygeno Models Management agency, master of ceremonies and mass communications graduate, Bernard was chosen from 20 participants in the event that took place on Sunday, 26 August 2018 at the Gran Arena del Cibao in Santiago. She had also won the best face and best typical costume awards.
Other contestants receiving awards were Roxannie Rodríguez, Peravia, Best Body; Paola Hórber, Elías Piña, Most Talented and Miss Reality Show; María Celeste Vargas, La Romana, Miss Friendship; Karen Vásquez, Santo Domingo West, Miss Communication; and Emely Ruiz, Valverde, Miss Photogenic.
https://www.listindiario.com/la-vid...e-ceremonias-asi-es-la-nueva-miss-rd-universo
http://hoy.com.do/aldy-bernard-repr...como-miss-republica-dominicana-universo-2018/
https://www.instagram.com/aldybernard/?hl=en
U-15 basketball team wins regional cup
The future looks bright for Dominican basketball. This is the conclusion of many experts after the Dominican U-15 team won the U-15 Caribbean Basketball Cup, with an undefeated record of 6-0. The tournament ended on Sunday, 26 August 2018, with a 74-44 defeat by the Dominican team over the competitors from Mexico. It was played at the San Carlos and San Lázaro clubs courts in Santo Domingo.
The event was organized by José (Maita) Mercedes, who is the director of the national teams project of the Dominican Basketball Federation. It was sponsored by the Ministry of Sports, Creso and Molten, Nike and Gatorade.
http://elnacional.com.do/equipo-nacional-u-15-campeon-copa-basket-del-caribe/
Francisco García named new general manager of national basketball team
Former NBA basketball player and Dominican national team player Fancisco García has been appointed to lead the national basketball team as it seeks to be one of seven teams to represent the Americas in the FIBA Basketball World Cup in China 2018.
The second round of the Americas qualifier consists of three windows that will be taking place in September and November 2018 and February 2019. The September window starts 13 September.
The Dominican Republic will be playing in Group F against Venezuela, Brazil, Canada, Virgin Islands and Chile.
http://www.fiba.basketball/basketballworldcup/2019/americas-qualifiers
Estrella gets to third round in US Open qualifiers
Víctor Estrella moved into the third qualifying round of the US Open after defeating Bjorn Fratangelo 7-6, 6-3 and J. Zopp 3-6, 6-1. His US Open run ended in fourth round when he lost to Italian Stefano Travaglia, 4-6, 0-6. Travaglia had defeated Evan King 4-6, 6-3 and 6-4.
https://www.elcaribe.com.do/2018/08...rella-avanza-tercera-ronda-en-clasificatorio/
https://www.usopen.org/en_US/players/overview/atpe224.html
Wason Brazoban to perform in Santo Domingo and Puerto Plata
Wason Brazobán is booked for a performance on Saturday, 15 September, at the Teatro La Fiesta of the Jaragua Renaissance Hotel and then again on Sunday, 23 September 2018, at the Puerto Plata Amphitheater. Monday, 24 September is a holiday, celebrating the Virgen de las Mercedes. Brazoban promises to sing his best hits.
Listen to his music at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkHZ6ES6R38
Big Capital at the National Theater
The drama “Big Capital” will be playing at the Sala Ravelo of the National Theater this weekend. The play, written by Dominican Iván Alcántara, is a dramatic comedy in which lives of two young women become entangled over a financial transaction.
Tickets are for sale online at Uepa Tickets or at the box office of the National Theater. The play is this weekend, 30, 31 August and 1 September 2018 at 8:30pm. Sundays at 6:30pm. Rated R.
https://www.uepatickets.com/Tickets.aspx?id=8857
Orquesta de Señoritas at Palacio de Bellas Artes
Orquesta de Señoritas is the story of seven women played by men. The drama comedy opens at the Palacio de Bellas Artes from 13 September 2018. Shows on 14, 15 September at 8:30pm. On Sunday, 16 September at 6:30pm. It continues on from Tuesday 18 September, 19, 20, 21, 22 September at 8:30pm, and Sunday, 23 September at 6:30pm.
Starring Leonardo Villalobos, Pepe Sierra, Manolo Ozuna, Phillip Rodríguez, Ricahrd Douglas, Josué Guerrero and Miguel Alcántara. Directed by Elvira Taveras. Production Pedro Jimenez and Anibelca Rosario.
https://www.uepatickets.com/Tickets.aspx?id=8902