On Thursday, 16 October 2025 the Senate passed what will be the newest version of the Labor Code, and, of course, not everyone is happy. Representatives of the Dominican Republic Association of Industries and other leading groups representing the major employers of the Dominican Republic were displeased that the senators had left in the articles that provided the “cesantia” or severance wages.
Likewise, the people that deliver items, yes, called “delivery” throughout the country, are unhappy because the 10% tip on all deliveries was not included in the legislative package.
The term “sexual orientation” was also removed from the articles covering possible discriminatory hiring practices. Another bothersome word that was removed was “religious” that was taken out of Article 45, section 7 of the new bill, where it says that workers cannot carry out any political (and religious) activities during working hours.
Management had wanted the senators to include provision that extended the payment of the termination wages (cesantia) out to three months, rather than the 10 days now on the books.
Furthermore, management wanted the “trial” period of employment to be extended out to six months, rather than the three months now in the law.
The legislation now goes to the Chamber of Deputies from where, if approved, it will be sent to the President for enactment.
Read more in Spanish:
El Caribe
El Caribe
Listin Diario
20 October 2025