Ministry of Labor Forum On “Employment and Economic Development in the Dominican Republic”

Ministry of Labor Forum On “Employment and Economic Development in the Dominican Republic”
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic 11/09/2013

With the goal of opening a debate about the different aspects of employment that facilitate equal treatment and equal rights of workers and employers, seen as a guarantee of economic and social development in the country, the Ministry of Labor held its Third Annual Equal Opportunities and Non-Discrimination Forum focused on “Employment and Economic Development in the Dominican Republic.”

Minister of Labor, Maritza Hernández, highlighted the fact that employment is an indispensable condition for the fulfillment of the practical needs of every human being; she called for special attention to women who need to claim their rights and become productive.

Minister of Labor, Maritza Hernández, highlighted the fact that employment is an indispensable condition for the fulfillment of the practical needs of every human being; she called for special attention to women who need to claim their rights and become productive.

“In this regard, access to and maintaining employment are fundamental for people to achieve a better quality of life and access to coverage from Social Security and health services that people require throughout their whole lives,” Minister Hernández pointed out.

Hernández reiterated that employment should be at the center of public policy because it not only constitutes a fundamental right; it also contributes to the national economic development and to people’s individual growth and development.

Magdalena Lizardo, Director of the Advisory Unit on Economic and Social Analysis (MEPYD in Spanish), spoke about “self-management of employment as an alternative for decreasing poverty.” Gustavo Guilamo, consultant on matters of social security talked about “Social Security as a basis of social protection.” Both speakers participated as panelists in the Forum.

Also lecturing at the forum was Cirse Almánzar, vice-president of the Industrial Association of the Dominican Republic (AIRD), with the subject of “Employment in an Emerging Economy,” among others.

There were trade unionists, businessmen, labor experts and authorities as well as employees from different parts of the Ministry at the Forum which was held in the Yolanda Room of the Ministry.