DR | Ministry of Labor Pilots Reduced Workweek
Ministry of Labor Launches Pilot Voluntary Plan to Shorten Workweek from 44 to 36 Hours
Employment
Santo Domingo – The Ministry of Labor in the Dominican Republic is pioneering a new initiative with the launch of the Pilot Voluntary Reduced Workweek Plan. This plan proposes to shorten the standard workweek from 44 to 36 hours and aims to explore its potential benefits for both employees and participating companies.
The plan commenced on February 1st and will run for a total duration of six months. During the initial three months, companies involved in the pilot will implement the reduced workweek, with employees receiving their full salary despite working 20% fewer hours while maintaining 100% productivity. The subsequent three months will be dedicated to gathering and analyzing data to assess the impact of this change on the labor landscape.
Participating companies in this voluntary pilot program include Claro, IMCA, EGE Haina, National Health Insurance (SeNaSa), and Unique Beneficiaries System (Siuben).
The Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM) will oversee the analysis, considering factors such as employee health and well-being, work-life balance, absenteeism, and environmental contribution.
Minister of Labor, Luis Miguel De Camps García, emphasized that this initiative represents more than just a labor innovation; it signifies a step towards a more equitable and compassionate society.
He stressed, “We are prioritizing people, aiming to improve health and well-being while fostering sustainable and eco-friendly productivity.”
He further stated, “This embodies the ethos of the current government led by President Luis Abinader: To establish a fairer, safer, and healthier work environment where every Dominican can not only work but also live, grow, and thrive.”
Juan Gabriel Faxas, Vice Chancellor for Research at PUCMM, highlighted that the university will conduct a thorough evaluation of the program’s effects on participating companies. He noted that besides enhancing employee well-being, this initiative could contribute to sustainability, reduce environmental impact, and stimulate the local economy through activities pursued during leisure time.
The agreements were formally signed by Minister of Labor, Sandra Tejeda; Director of People and Organizational Culture of Claro, José Rodríguez Silvestre; General Manager of EGE Haina, Santiago Hazim; Executive Director of SeNaSa, Jeffrey Lizardo; and Regional Director of Marketing and Customer Experience of IMCA, Gina Jiménez.
The launch event included an audiovisual presentation where different companies shared their perspectives on the pilot plan proposed by the Ministry of Labor.
The event took place at the Auditorium of the Cultural Center of INDOTEL, with notable attendees including Sabrina de la Cruz Vargas, Vice Minister of Labor Relations and Business, and Javier Suárez, Labor Affairs Advisor to the Ministry of Labor, among others.
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