Labour Shortage Hits Dominican Agriculture and Construction Sectors

The Dominican agricultural sector is struggling with a labor shortage after about 50,000 Haitian migrants were deported in the last month.

Impact on Construction Sector

There are also reports of problems in the construction sector. The Dominican Confederation of Micro, Small, and Medium Construction Companies (Copymecon) has warned of potential halts in construction activities due to the loss of this workforce.

Often in construction, Haitian workers will work for much lower wages and even live (camp) onsite during projects.

Seeking Temporary Work Permits

To fix this, the sector is asking for temporary work permits for foreign labor, especially for agriculture and construction jobs, until local workers are available. The Migration Department is working with the agricultural sector, and the process for these permits is almost ready, according to the Agriculture Minister.

Opposition and Counterarguments

Some lawmakers, however, oppose this idea. They say giving temporary permits to undocumented migrants is illegal. They think business owners and farmers should pay more and offer better benefits to attract Dominican workers and encourage “Dominicanization” in these industries.

On the other hand, agricultural leaders argue that temporary work permits are essential to keep production stable for now. They believe foreign labor is necessary while the country works on getting more Dominicans to take these jobs.

Conclusion

The labor shortage in the Dominican agricultural and construction sectors has significant implications for the country’s economy. The temporary work permit solution may be a necessary evil to keep production stable, but it also raises questions about the long-term sustainability of foreign labor in these industries.