2004 – Page 52

The business community and the representatives of the various workers’ syndicates agreed to a 30% increase for minimum wage earners and a 25% wage increase for those earning less than RD$20,001 per month. The other wage scales were not affected by the agreement, according to the Listin Diario, and any increase in the higher wage …

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According to Hoy’s economic editor Mario Mendez, subsidized propane gas is being diverted to industrial consumers, a breach of the new system that represents a RD$100-million loss in tax revenues for the government. Mendez writes that, according to sources, this “waylaying” of subsidized propane provides huge earnings for the gas wholesalers. The sources also informed …

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The business community is fighting the proposed Consumer Protection Law tooth and nail, according to El Caribe, and the various business groups have suggested more than 30 changes to the legislation. All of this comes after more than six years of languor at the bottom of the legislators’ drawers, and after more than a year …

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The United States will be sending the DR-CAFTA to its Congress following the 2 November elections. Juan Guilliani Cury, the vice-minister of foreign relations for economic affairs and commercial negotiations, feels there are several months left for the country to straighten out the issues relating to the 25% surtax to be levied on soft drinks …

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The Department for the Prevention of Corruption (DEPRECO) reported yesterday that they were going to target the 110 deputies who have yet to file their sworn declarations of worth, in spite of being in office for more than two years. Octavio Lister Henriquez, the head of DEPRECO, told El Caribe reporters that so far only …

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While it is certainly not news to many residents, it is something else to see that foreign entities such as International Transparency out of Berlin have classified the Dominican Republic as one of the most corrupt nations in Latin America, placing the DR at number 14 in the region and number 87 in the world. …

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The Superior Council of the National Police approved a motion to request the retirement of 107 police agents, including six colonels, as part of the ongoing reform of the police institution. According to the report in Hoy newspaper, these officers are being removed from service due to their age. The council’s resolution was signed by …

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The Boston Red Sox did something never seen done before. Led by Dominican power hitter David Ortiz, the Boston team, first, beat the Yankees in two straight games, then in three straight games, and finally in four straight games. Each step was history in the making. No team has ever come back from a 0-3 …

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The Fernandez administration says it has plans for scaled wage increases for those public employees making less than RD$20,000 a month, as reported in Diario Libre. An initial raise of 15% would go into effect January 2005 and again in the middle of the year. The increases are included in the 2005 National Budget currently …

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A recent diagnostic study carried out by international education consultant Andres Bernasconi shows that only 22 of every 100 university-age youths are attending college. Furthermore, the study reveals that 30% of the students who enter universities will abandon their studies within the first two years. The graduation rate averages at 20% of enrolled students. Radhames …

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