Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic – The Dominican Republic is grappling with the complex issue of Haitian labor regularization amidst a backdrop of political and economic instability in neighboring Haiti. Former President Hipólito Mejía has publicly advocated for the urgent regularization of Haitian workers, highlighting the critical role they play in key sectors of the dominican economy.

Mejía’s Call for Action

speaking to journalists at the 62nd anniversary event of the National Council of Private Enterprise (CONEP), Mejía emphasized the necessity of addressing the status of Haitian laborers. You have to do it urgently, he stated, underscoring the pressing need for a solution.

He pointed to the real needs within the agriculture and construction industries, suggesting that sectoral agreements could provide a viable framework for managing Haitian labor. This approach would allow specific industries to address their labor demands while ensuring that workers are properly documented and protected.

High-Level Meeting on haiti’s crisis

The Dominican government is actively engaging with various stakeholders to address the broader implications of the Haitian crisis. Mejía confirmed his participation in a meeting convened by President Luis abinader at the Economic and Social Council (CES). This meeting aims to discuss the multifaceted challenges posed by the situation in Haiti and its potential impact on the Dominican Republic.

Former Presidents Leonel Fernández and Danilo Medina have also been invited to the CES meeting, continuing a dialog initiated on may 14 at the Ministry of Defence. During that earlier meeting, the political leaders collectively acknowledged that the instability in Haiti poses a significant threat to both the Haitian population and the wider region, especially the Dominican Republic.

The situation of instability in Haiti represents a threat not only for their own population, but also for the entire region, especially for the Dominican Republic.

Immigration Policy and Enforcement

Despite the focus on regularization, the Dominican Republic remains committed to enforcing its immigration laws. The political leaders have reaffirmed the need to apply the immigration law with firmness and respect for human rights, through the imprisonment and deportation of undocumented Haitians.

The government has already implemented several measures to control immigration, including:

• A massive deportation program initiated last October.
• Strengthened border controls with a border fence.
• Deployment of advanced technology and thousands of troops along the border.
• Stricter internal measures,such as deporting undocumented Haitians seeking care at public health centers.