El Siglo newspaper reports on the hunger strike started by near 50 contractors that have not been paid on time by the government. They are demanding the fulfillment of the agreement signed with the government last April in which the government committed to clear the debt of US$2,000 million in quotas of RD$20 million a month. According to news reports, contractors on hunger strike have worked on the 27 de Febrero Expressway tunnels, the expansion of the George Washington Avenue (Malecón), the expansion of Las Americas Highway, the construction of toll booths, the Autovía del Este and other public works. Recently, the president of the Dominican Council of Businesses (CONEP) said that the reputation of not fulfilling its commitments weighs against the Fernández government. News commentators say it is not so much a problem of availability of money, as one of lack of experience in managing and scheduling the payments.
