Representatives of small business protested the decision by the Ministry of Labor to side with labor representatives and approve a 14% increase in the minimum wage without reclassifying companies as ordered by Law 187-17. The Ministry of Labor said that talks on the reclassification would begin in 60 days.
The minimum wage for companies that do not benefit from special wage regimes is RD$17,610 per month for large companies, RD$12,107 for medium-sized companies, and RD$10,728 for small companies. The wage would be effective this July.
The most vigorous protests came from the Dominican Federation of Merchants (Federación Dominicana de Comerciantes) that gathers grocery stores. Ivan García, president of the organization, called for the wage not to be enacted and said actions to this end would be announced. He claimed the Ministry of Labor is violating the law. He expressed concern over the bankruptcy of small companies.
He complained that the government allows large hotels to pay minimum wages of RD$6,800 but has yet to enact the law that would provide relief for microbusinesses.
Law 187-17 orders that businesses be categorized as micro-businesses (up to 10 workers and RD$8 million in sales), small businesses (11-50 workers and RD$54 million in sales) and medium-sized businesses (51-150 workers and RD$202 million in sales) and large businesses.
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Diario Libre
Diario Libre
15 July 2019