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Dominicans respond to high energy costs with national strike

Radio del Sur* | July 7, 2011

Dominican popular organizations united in the Alternative Social Forum reaffirmed their support for a national strike scheduled for Monday in protest of the high cost of living.

Dominican Republic Vice President Rafael Alburquerque said the government is always available for dialogue. But unions are not presently looking for dialogue and announced their support for popular demands in addition to salary increases for public employees. The Alternative Social Forum said that the authorities should respond to the demands if they wish to avoid the strike.

Fidel Santana, spokesperson of the Forum, said a government official had called for a meeting, but was told that the Social Forum has no interest in participating in theatrics. Moreover, the official who was not identified, had no decision making power.

In response to the vice president’s call for dialogue Santana stated that in his view, only President Leonel Fernandez and his closest officials can address the demands.

Demands include a wage increase of 30 percent for all public employees, changes to the Hydrocarbons Law and rescinding the increase in electricity tariffs.

Meanwhile business leaders yesterday said that the cessation of work activities would be very damaging to the economy. They recommended convening a dialogue with the authorities to try to reach an agreement regarding the demands.

*Translation by Aletho News

July 7, 2011 - Posted by | Economics

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