The Dominican Free Zone Association (Adozona) announced its opposition to changing Law 139-97 that rotates public holidays creating long weekends. Manuel Torres, executive vice president of Adozona, said when public holidays fall within the week they interrupt the flow of work more than moving them to create the long weekends. He said the law as it is is convenient for family life and thus for worker productivity.
On 25 July 2017, the Chamber of Deputies approved a legislative proposal that would modify articles 2 and 4 of Law 139-97 so that holidays between Tuesday and Friday are not moved. The bill now needs to be reviewed in the Senate.
The changes approved by the deputies are that the public holidays that cannot be moved are:
Three Kings Day (6 January), Labor Day (1 May), Constitution Day (6 November), Juan Pablo Duarte Day (26 January), Independence Day (27 February), Restoration Day (16 August). Also the religious holidays of: Altagracia Day (21 January), Mercedes Day (24 September), and Christmas Day (25 December).
Read more in Spanish:
Diario Digital
CDN
Ley 139-97
17 August 2017
