An editorial in El Nacional highlights the Constitutionally guaranteed right to free enterprise and free market for the purchase of goods and contracting of services based on agreement between the parties, and the ban on monopolies or oligopolies that alter the harmonious relationship between supply and demand.
El Nacional points out that a government administrative resolution dating back to 2004 obliges users of cargo transport to grant the Dominican Transport Federation (Fenatrado) 50% of all cargo transport, an irritating privilege that is which is in violation of the Constitution.
The editorialist writes that as a consequence of this unfair trade practice, no merchandise can leave the ports unless 50% of the cargo has been loaded on trucks belonging to Fenatrado members. The same applies to farm produce or other products that are transported to different markets nationwide.
As reported, Fenatrado president Blas Peralta has warned that with the resolution being in effect, despite it being in violation of the Constitution, “we will fight to the death against anyone,” a clear sign that it is a measure that will be imposed by force or fear.
The abovementioned resolution that grants such an irritating privilege to Fenatrado increases the cost of transporting goods and affects the competitiveness of Dominican companies that are obliged to contract these services to union members without being able to freely negotiate prices and conditions. “Fear is a sickness,” writes the newspaper.