NewsWhore
02-02-2007, 01:50 PM
Producers and farmers in the Cibao region are complaining about the problems resulting from the employment of illegal Haitian workers. Once just cheap labor, farm owners now say that the hidden costs of the imported workers and their increased demands are now catching up with them. Listin Diario writes that producers say they now have to deal with the demands of Haitian workers who want more money, as well as having to deal with the international organizations that campaign on their behalf. The workers are asking for RD$200 per four hours worked, RD$400 per eight hours worked, vacations, days off and severance benefits.
The president of the Northeastern Rice Producers Association, Rafael Diaz says that the rice-producing sector is one of the areas that is most affected by this situation. Diaz also pointed out that there is mistrust between the Haitians when it comes to pay. He says that sometimes payment might get backed up a day or two but the Haitians want their money that day, end of discussion. Finally Diaz explained that when many workers arrive in the country, they don't know Spanish and are only skilled in certain areas, so the producers have to find them translators, teach them the skills, and then pay them the same wages as their countrymen who are already working there.
Diaz says that the sector must stop using Haitian laborers. He added however that this creates another problem because Dominicans don't want to work in the fields. Diaz is urging more Dominicans to work in the fields instead of going to the big cities to work as drivers and similar jobs.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#8)
The president of the Northeastern Rice Producers Association, Rafael Diaz says that the rice-producing sector is one of the areas that is most affected by this situation. Diaz also pointed out that there is mistrust between the Haitians when it comes to pay. He says that sometimes payment might get backed up a day or two but the Haitians want their money that day, end of discussion. Finally Diaz explained that when many workers arrive in the country, they don't know Spanish and are only skilled in certain areas, so the producers have to find them translators, teach them the skills, and then pay them the same wages as their countrymen who are already working there.
Diaz says that the sector must stop using Haitian laborers. He added however that this creates another problem because Dominicans don't want to work in the fields. Diaz is urging more Dominicans to work in the fields instead of going to the big cities to work as drivers and similar jobs.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#8)