Santo Domingo.- Several ruling PLD party senators on Thursday rebuked as “unfair and criminal” the Customs Agency’s ban on used garments and footwear from entering the country.

They said the livelihood of thousands of men and women of the border provinces depends on the sale of those items.

Sonia Mateo, of Dajabon, Adrian Sanchez Roa, of Elias Piña and Manuel Paula, of Bahoruco, called it “a bad measure" and cautioned Customs director Rafael Camilo to “think it through,” because thousands of people live off that business along the border.

Mateo said “everybody” has violated the law banning the entry of used garments, and that Customs has been charging taxes for the entry of those bales.

She said 3,000 people make their living selling used clothing in her province, adding that the business between Haiti and the country moves as much as RD$60.0 million.

But Montecristi province senator Heinz Vieluf agrees with the ban, noting that the World Trade Organization forbids it.

 Industrialists agree with ban

The Dominican Republic Industries Association of (AIRD) agreed with the Customs’ ban, affirming that it’s a strict enforcement of Law 458-73 in effect.