The Dominican Medical Association (CMD) together with a number of social organizations held a protest march in Santiago, the country’s second largest city, on Wednesday morning, 28 September 2022. The physicians demanded the end to the health plans and pension funds with the ARSs and AFPs contracted to local finance companies.
The march started at Ercilia Pepín Park in front of the Cabral y Baez Public Hospital and ended at the Monument to the Heroes of the Restoration. The president of the CMD, Dr. Senen Caba headed the protest against Social Security Law 87-01 in a quest for decent pensions, inclusive and quality health plans.
“That law or any other law is unacceptable, that is why we are in the streets gathering people’s support,” said Dr. Caba.
The Dominican Medical Association is keeping alive the generalized claim for amendments to be made to the health plan and pension plan laws. The laws are deemed as excessively favorable to the financial entities that manage these. The high yields of these plans compare to the low yields to those who pay into the system.
Speaking for the business sector of Santiago, the executive director of the Santiago Chamber of Commerce, Fernando Puig, rejected the march. “We believe that there are opportunities to correct, to improve, but only joining the efforts of all sectors, labor, public and private, business can we steer the Dominican Republic on the path of economic development and improve the quality of life and open the doors for future generations,” said the businessman.
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Hoy
29 September 2022