2001 – Page 133

In a press release published in daily newspapers, EGE Haina accuses the Dominican government of favoring the distributor companies over the generators, the government and consumers. EGE Haina says this is taking the country from a power surplus to a power deficit and an increase in blackouts. The company explains that the Ministry of Industry …

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Hoy newspaper reports that the parents of one of the workers who died in the toppling of the Palacio del Cine under construction in Santiago have presented a legal claim for RD$50 million in damages to the builder and the owner. Their 20 year old son, laborer Paulino Martinez Toribio and six other persons died …

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The vice president of the Chamber of Construction, Cristian Maluf, explained the 40% wage increase for construction workers. He said that for a long time construction workers have been paid 35% more than the minimum wage. He said by increasing the wage to 40%, in reality the laborers will only receive a 5% increase. He …

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An amateur video camera taped a recent pep talk that the President?s legal advisor Guido Gomez Mazara made to PRD party members in Samana. Hoy newspaper gives the story front page coverage today. The video was given to a news show on Channel 23 and one on Channel 13. It?s controversial because it shows the …

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Public Works Minister Miguel Vargas justified the construction of ten 50-bed “smart hospitals” by a Florida based company on grounds that it is easier to build new hospitals than to repair the old. The health care centers have a minimal cost of almost US$50 million. Vargas said the Ministry does not have the budget to …

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The president of the Presidential Electricity Advisory Committee, Hugo Guiliani Cury, warns that the Ministry of Industry and Commerce?s proposal to reduce the government subsidy on power would have an immediate inflationary effect in the economy. The measure would take effect in the July electricity bills. Guiliani says the reduction of the subsidy would spur …

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The Executive Branch has sent to Congress plans for the creation of another ministry. The Overseas Ministry would be dedicated to the affairs of Dominican communities abroad. 

Hoy newspaper points out that the Central Bank is late issuing the figures for the first trimester of the year. The economic editor of the newspaper Mario Mendez says that for years the bank has issued the report 20 days after the close of the trimester. Now 40 days after the close of the period, …

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The National Committee of Salaries approved 40% wage increases for construction laborers. The highest wage increase so far approved for other sectors was 18%. The increase is effective 24 May. Days will now be paid at the following rates: Non skilled laborers RD$147, skilled laborers RD$161, assistants RD$189, third category operators RD$215, second category operators RD$280, …

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The town of Jarabacoa closed down for 12 hours yesterday to protest the government’s decision to go ahead with construction of the Manabao Dam. President Hipolito Mejia, a strong supporter of the project, announced he would visit Jarabacoa on Sunday to discuss the dam with the community.