SANTO DOMINGO. –National Business Council (CONEP) president Lisandro Macarrulla said Monday that management works to apply a wage increase for employees as soon as possible, because they deserve a corrected spending power.

Although he didn’t specify the date or amount, Macarrulla said they’ve met with labor representatives and will continue the debate to keep inflation from absorbing the increase.

“We’re taking the debate a little deeper than a wage increase. We’re taking the debate to the point that when we reach an agreement so nominal increase the employees receive isn’t lost with an increase ni prices and that inflation eats up the wage increase. We are working so that it’s as fast as possible.”

He said the Dominican workers deserve a correction in their real spending power and not what has traditionally taken place, as when the inflationary process neutralizes the increase they receive, “and takes place when the productive sector increases its production cost and the desired effect is not obtained.”

He reiterated that the CONEP wants an improved standard of living for Dominican workers.

On illegal Haitian laborers

Macarrulla said that industralists aren’t authorized to hire illegal Haitian manpower and asked compliance with the quota of foreign employees, “after granting  prudent term to produce the required adjustments in the labor market.”

He said although there are around one million Haitians in the country, mostly working illegally in construction and farms, those who hire them must be punished to the full extent of the law.

The business leader said despite the fact that it’s the industrialists themselves who sometimes request Haitian manpower, according to denunciations, he said the Government should assume the responsibility of enforcing the Labor Code.

Macarrulla, in a press conference to present Conep’s position on the Haitian immigrants, said measures need to be taken so the neighboring country’s labor force  doesn’t depress the locals and respect the contracts.

He said it’s necessary to penalize the employers with illegal manpower and also those who fail to comply with the percentage of workers by nationality in the law, “after granting the prudent term to produce the required adjustments in the labor market.”