If a single person needs anywhere from RD 50000 to RD 100000 to live decently in santo domingo, do most dominicans work 5,6, or 7 days per week? Do they work 8, 10, 12, or 16 hours a day? I bring a USA perspective to what we normally work in the states. If I plan to work in the Domonincan Republic, I should go had and file for my permanent residence card to stay in legal complaince in the Dominican Republic?
- Thread starter live_for_life
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Do most Dominicans work 5, 6 or 7 days a week?
I presume from your 'other thread' that you are talking RD $50K - RD $100K Per MONTH here???
I will refrain from the easy to write sarcasm & simply say
Unless you are a lawyer, specialist Doctor or have a very SPECISALISED service/product to market down here, please forget a salary structure in excess of RD $35,000 per month - it just ain't going to happen! For normal mortals you would need to work 28 hour a day,:cheeky: 10 days a week :chinese: & 5 weeks each month :tired: to earn around RD $30/35,000 per month!
Teaching English might get you RD $25,000 if you can create a demand for your specialised services - what is it that you teach at the moment? ~ Grahame
My hubby used to work 8 hours a day mon-fri and most weeks he worked Saturday mornings too and then on the odd occasion when really busy he did a sunday morning and his salary was RD 150,000 (plus overtime if he worked Saturday/Sunday.
If you plan to work, you should get your residency.
What kind of work are you thinking about?
The length of the work day varies, depends on what you do. For example, people employed by companies that supply security guards work 12 hours a day. That is the standard work day for them.
People who are covered under the labor code work 5.5 days a week, for a total of 44 hours. Or that is what the law says.
I'm sure there are many people who don't fall under either of the above and work whatever number of hours the boss says.
The labor laws are very loosely enforced.
One thing all have in common is low pay.
What kind of work are you thinking about?
The length of the work day varies, depends on what you do. For example, people employed by companies that supply security guards work 12 hours a day. That is the standard work day for them.
People who are covered under the labor code work 5.5 days a week, for a total of 44 hours. Or that is what the law says.
I'm sure there are many people who don't fall under either of the above and work whatever number of hours the boss says.
The labor laws are very loosely enforced.
One thing all have in common is low pay.
6 days a week is very normal.
I've seen a really disgusting trend that I might mention too. People stay at work until 9-11pm... the reason could be laziness (not completing work on time) but I suspect it is that they just get TOO much work, and they are expected to finish it all. So they stay later, but the pay is the same (salaried). I wouldn't stand for this if I had a normal desk job. If it is 5pm, I am OUT with my family... hmm...
I've seen a really disgusting trend that I might mention too. People stay at work until 9-11pm... the reason could be laziness (not completing work on time) but I suspect it is that they just get TOO much work, and they are expected to finish it all. So they stay later, but the pay is the same (salaried). I wouldn't stand for this if I had a normal desk job. If it is 5pm, I am OUT with my family... hmm...
I know lots of people earning RD$50K+ per month. Some of these are even teachers 
But, the majority of Dominicans will not even get close to that as a monthly wage.
You often see the "better skilled" Dominicans bounce from one company to another, each time stepping up in wages. I know Dominicans on US$5,000+ monthly working for businesses here.
Santo Domingo is like any big city, it has plenty of good paying jobs on offer, you just need to know how to network and who to socialize with.
As an expat, forget the high end job market (RD$100k+ monthly), your chances are slim to zero, regardless of your skill set. Forget all that equal opportunity fluff, nepatisim is a alive and kicking here
But, the majority of Dominicans will not even get close to that as a monthly wage.You often see the "better skilled" Dominicans bounce from one company to another, each time stepping up in wages. I know Dominicans on US$5,000+ monthly working for businesses here.
Santo Domingo is like any big city, it has plenty of good paying jobs on offer, you just need to know how to network and who to socialize with.
As an expat, forget the high end job market (RD$100k+ monthly), your chances are slim to zero, regardless of your skill set. Forget all that equal opportunity fluff, nepatisim is a alive and kicking here
Pretty much on the money unless you have a skill that is in short demand and are actively sought by DR companies.
With the apparel boon in the 80's and especially the 90's, U.S. & European skilled workers were actively sought... and initially premiums over U.S. & U.K. salaries were paid. Pay ranged from US$30k/year to over US$250k a year along with travel expenses & generous vacation.
With time (years!), locals were groomed and became proficient at these jobs - at often less than half the gringo's salary. These days there are few positions filled by gringos & little demand.
There are similar unique positions now in the construction and management of some of the mega-resorts (look at Trump's Apprentice). However, with time, these too will be replaced by competent Dominicans at a fraction of the cost.
All-in-all, as it should be.
If you can't find a niche for yourself, the best you can do is compete with Dominicans for jobs at a Dominican wage... and you won't often beat them out for a job.