After two days of discussions, the free zone business sector and the union for free zone workers have come to an agreement on a new minimum wage for economically deprived areas of the country. The Dominican Association of Free Zones (Adozona) and the United Federation of Free Zone Workers (Fenetrazona) agreed to set the base salary at RD$1690 a month. That’s RD$800 less than the normal minimum wage for that sector of the economy, RD$2490. The executive director of Adozona, José Torres, pointed out the new rate will apply to the impoverished border area as well as all regions that have few sources of employment. Listín Diario reports that 15 days after the Labor Department issues the resolution, the new salary will go into effect. The new minimum wage is an attempt to attract new businesses to depressed areas. Torres also said the parties agreed on a flexible work day but no details were released.
