The picketers showed up with signs in English.
SANTO DOMINGO.- Dozens of doctors grouped in the guild CMD picketed the United States embassy in the Dominican capital Santo Domingo Thursday, and were joined by other health sector professionals who’ve staged other protests to demand a pay raise.
CMD president Waldo Suero said the demonstration aims to draw the attention of U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who’s expected to arrive in the country at 6 p.m. today, to meet with president Leonel Fernandez and one day before her scheduled trip to Trinidad & Tobago for the Summit of the Americas.
Police agents surrounded the embassy facilities located in downtown Santo Domingo, and no injuries were reported.
Meanwhile, economy minister Temístocles Montas, asked to comment on the picket, affirmed that the government hasn’t the necessary funds to increase the wages of doctors and other health professionals, blaming the shortfall on the local effects of the global economic crisis. “There’s no money for raise. In a context when revenue is falling, there’s no way we can raise their salaries.”
Written by: lovingit, 16 Apr 2009 2:00 PM
From: United States, Delaware
I understand these doctors may want more pay, but the US Embassy, they don't care about them, why are they barking up the wrong tree, they should go to El Palacio and have the president grow tired of seeing them there. US Embassy? Get real Doctorsitos!
From: United States, Port Washington, LI (New York)
stupids!!!!
Written by: xwill7, 16 Apr 2009 2:41 PM
From: United States, El cuarto bate
Doctors want that new Benz
From: United States, New York City
This is not a stupid move at all. In fact it's a tactical move. Their last protest ended in unwarranted police violence. I doubt that the Dominican police would use the same force on the grounds around the US embassy. Also, the specific location chosen can potentially garnish international attention for their cause, thereby embarrassing the current administration which could quite possibly lead to a satisfactory solution for the doctors.
Written by: telemeco, 16 Apr 2009 3:30 PM
From: Dominican Republic, Monte Plata
This is ridiculous, the U.S is not going to tell Fernandez "Stop developing the country and pay the doctor so they can drive they new Benz, and forget the U.S interested, pay the doctor and dont pay the U.S" you must be crazy out your mind...someone tell these doctor that we are in an economic resecition, they are lucky they are not cutting salaries
Written by: vacanos, 16 Apr 2009 4:17 PM
From: United States, An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last.
There are many doctors who just collect their govt paycheck without giving service thanks to their buddies who sign for them or just go to take the hospital medicine for their own practice. Before giving these doctors any raise I want to see a new reform implemented too regarding these issues.
Written by: antonio1, 16 Apr 2009 4:25 PM
From: Dominican Republic, Av Santa Rosa, La Romana
They are trying to protect under the umbrella of the US embassy,,,they know que le dan pao pao in the outside. Whiners
From: United States
Hey guys you completely miss the point. The fine and brave officers are suddenly not so willing to get violent on the doorstep of US Marines. Good for the doctors, whether they deserve a raise or not the certainly have a right to peaceful assembly.
Written by: antonio1, 16 Apr 2009 5:10 PM
From: Dominican Republic, Av Santa Rosa, La Romana
Peaceful assembly is a constitutional right as long as one don't affect a second or third party like it happen on the first march where the traffic jam was immense; but the facts of the matter is that government employee (to include doctors and lawyers) wage in DR are set in a table similar to the one in the US, quite sure you heard about the infamous GS system...whit the extra benefit for service professional to have their own clinic, law office, etc.
Written by: Vivacuba, 16 Apr 2009 5:37 PM
From: Dominican Republic
These people are really stupid to picket this place. WHY? I'm glad I don;t go to these Doctors for treatment. If anything, the US Embassy needs "the boot", like Chavez did!
Written by: curlando, 17 Apr 2009 8:56 AM
From: United States, Bronx
That’s Dominican ingenuity. Protest at the US Embassy so they can get more pay. I am Hilary Clinton will be able to increase their salaries.
Written by: xwill7, 17 Apr 2009 10:29 AM
From: United States, El cuarto bate
Ateo,
They want more press attention. It seems to be working
From: United States
Doctors in DR do deserve a raise, this is true. However, before that happens, the politicians must get off all their insane salaries and give up their Escalades. Honestly driving around El Palacio and other government owned buildings is embarassing. Lawyers and secretaries arrive in 70's, meanwhile the current party's politicians show up in Escalades, Navigators, etc., not to mention their own private armed guard. Seeing this I would like a piece of that carrot as well. We need to stop the corruption at the top before we can divide up the budget. Its obviously not cool that hospitals look like abandoned mausoleums, however the doctors in there do what they can. Those doctors deserve the money, not the ones running private clinics cleaning out our families. Here's my steps at least:
1. Clean up corruption up top and affix salary caps
2. Rectify the embarrasing conditions in hospitals
3. Get a battalion of Ambulances for the country
4. Assign raises upon record (not time) of docs.
Written by: xwill7, 17 Apr 2009 2:31 PM
From: United States, El cuarto bate
Platano,
You made it sound so easy... Remember, that in DR there are no dead lines and people don't look at the clock. Progress can take many many years just to knock off one of the items on your list.
From: United States
If they intend to solicit US help and sympathy, then this is a stupid move. Granted they will not suffer the same humiliation and defeat doing it in front of the US embassy. The US doesnt give a rats ass about these issues.
These Dominicans are the same idiots who give in to bribes extortions and contribute everyday to the corrupt practices.
Give them services and equipment and they will sell it, give them money and they will buy bigger jipetas.
If they really want to change there conditons they can achieve it but it will take sweat an blood and Dominicans really arent up to it. Their mentallity is worse than that of the AA communty in the US. They want it given to them on a silver platter except for the fact that the AA had their share of palos por la cabeza.
Written by: Bailarin 
, 17 Apr 2009 3:12 PM
From: Dominican Republic
HEY , HILLARY ! Isn't it just like those charming island men to come swarming around a rich old white women on vacation ! ....lol lol lol ..
Written by: xwill7, 17 Apr 2009 3:41 PM
From: United States, El cuarto bate
Bailarin,
Seems like you are turned on by Hillary. Are you grama's toy???
Written by: Bailarin , 17 Apr 2009 3:50 PM
From: Dominican Republic
xwill7 , Im your grama's toy !
Written by: xwill7, 17 Apr 2009 4:33 PM
From: United States, El cuarto bate
Thats great. I guess you love the feel of big rasins.
From: Dominican Republic, Boycott Dominican Tourism
Who's your Grand Daddy ??????
From: Dominican Republic, Santiago
oh my!
Written by: Bailarin , 20 Apr 2009 8:24 AM
From: Dominican Republic
I admit it xwill7 ! Even though I like your gramas big raisins , I PREFER YOUR MAMAS LITTLE GRAPES MORE !
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They want more press attention. It seems to be working
1. Clean up corruption up top and affix salary caps
2. Rectify the embarrasing conditions in hospitals
3. Get a battalion of Ambulances for the country
4. Assign raises upon record (not time) of docs.
You made it sound so easy... Remember, that in DR there are no dead lines and people don't look at the clock. Progress can take many many years just to knock off one of the items on your list.
These Dominicans are the same idiots who give in to bribes extortions and contribute everyday to the corrupt practices.
Give them services and equipment and they will sell it, give them money and they will buy bigger jipetas.
If they really want to change there conditons they can achieve it but it will take sweat an blood and Dominicans really arent up to it. Their mentallity is worse than that of the AA communty in the US. They want it given to them on a silver platter except for the fact that the AA had their share of palos por la cabeza.
Seems like you are turned on by Hillary. Are you grama's toy???