Vice Admiral Luis Rafael Ballester, Director General of Migration, responded to a request from the Dominican Association of Housing Builders and Promoters (Acoprovi) to regularize nearly 87,000 Haitian workers, explaining that the lack of work permits and disorganized repatriations affect the stability of the construction sector.

Balester said, "We have met with all sectors, including Acoprovi. We have maintained a frank and open dialogue," emphasizing that "the solution must be aligned with compliance with Migration Law #285-04, to guarantee migratory control, citizen security and internal peace in the Dominican Republic."

He said that his institution is open to continuing the dialogue with Acoprovi to evaluate any other proposal, but reiterated that the Government’s position remains the same, ensuring compliance with the law that regulates the entry and stay of foreigners in Dominican territory.

Annerys Meléndez, President of Acoprovi, explained that the sector complies with the 80/20 regulation (80% Dominican jobs, 20% for hiring foreign labor), but that the lack of a structured work permit process generates uncertainty in the industry. "Repatriations have a negative impact, because many of these foreign [Haitian] workers comply with the regulations and are essential for the continuity of the projects..."

Annerys Meléndez stressed that the construction sector generates approximately 435,000 formal jobs, so, by applying the 20% established by law, at least 87,000 work permits are needed for Haitian workers. "The foreigner is there, we cannot ignore him. It is not a question of expelling him and then letting him return, but of effectively regularizing his professional situation."

S/ HaitiLibre