Spokesmen for the farming, construction and sugar production sectors denied that the Dominican Republic depends on Haitian labor, disputing statements of US Ambassador Hans Hertell. Osmar Benitez of the Agribusiness Council (JAD), told the Listin Diario that while he respects the opinion of Hertell, it is not as he states. He said that while Haitians are employed in farming, this is a setback for Dominican agriculture. “Foreign labor is important, but I do not think Dominican farming would disappear if foreign laborers could not be hired,” he told the Listin diario.
Furthermore, Faustino Jimenez, executive director of the Sugar Institute (Inazucar) said that the sugar industry is mechanizing the cutting of sugar cane. He said that already Central Romana and the Consorcio Azucarero Central have mechanized 70% of their harvesting.
Jose Rodriguez Caceres, speaking for the Association of Builders and Promoters of Housing (Acoprovi) said that the biggest employer of low cost Haitian labor is the government itself in public works, and the biggest example of this is the metro. Rodriguez said that in the long run, Haitian labor is more expensive than Dominican labor because of the communication problems that bring about having to repeat several jobs.