CNS Resolution 03-2023.
In a recent announcement, Published on May 3, 2023, The Dominican government, led by the Ministry of Labor, It announced a historic milestone in the country's labor policies. An increase in the minimum wage of between 201 and 491 pesos has been agreed upon for workers in hotels, restaurants, and other food service establishments.
This agreement, reached in the National Wage Committee, seeks to simplify the structure and governance of the minimum wages, This aligns with President Abinader's proposed wage pact, presented in his May 1st address. This will be the twenty-second wage increase under his administration, all exceeding accumulated inflation, according to the Minister of Labor., Luis Miguel De Camps García.
David Llibre, president of the National Association of Hotels and Restaurants (ASONAHORES), He acknowledged that this salary increase is significant. Business owners in the tourism sector are aware of the effects of inflation, which, despite tourism growth, has also impacted their employees. This increase substantially improves the economic situation of workers in the sector.
In a show of solidarity and understanding, Llibre added that this wage agreement is a tangible demonstration of what can be achieved through consensus and dialogue.
Manolo Ramírez, president of the Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Workers (FENATRAHOREST), highlighted the positive impact this increase will have on service quality. According to Ramírez, a tourism worker with a higher salary can smile more and provide better service to guests.
This increase is particularly noteworthy since, in less than two years, an increase of more than 40% in tourism sector wages has been approved.
New National Minimum Wage rates for the sector
In accordance with CNS Resolution 03-2023, the new salary rates will be implemented in two phases. Starting June 1, 2023, employees of large companies will receive a 15% increase, raising their salary from 14,000 pesos to 16,100 pesos. A second 5% increase in February 2024 will bring their salaries to 16,800 pesos.
Medium-sized companies will see a minimum wage increase of 28.5% in June 2023, taking the salary from 10,650 pesos to 13,685 pesos, followed by another increase of 4.47% in February 2024, resulting in a salary of 14,161 pesos.
Finally, small businesses will experience the largest salary increase, with a historic increase of 44,05% in June 2023, going from 9,500 pesos to 13,685 pesos, and another of 5,01% in February 2024, taking it to 14,161 pesos.
Illustrative table of the minimum wages approved by CNS resolution 03-2023, on the national minimum wage for workers who provide services in hotels, casinos, restaurants, bars, cafes, coffee shops, nightclubs, pizzerias, fried chicken, fast food businesses, chimichurris, ice cream parlors and other unspecified gastronomic establishments.
| Type of Company | Increase June 2023 | Salary June 2023 (in pesos) | Increase February 2024 | Salary February 2024 (in pesos) |
| Big | 15% | RD$ 16,100 | 5% | RD$ 16,800 |
| Medians | 28.5% | RD$ 13,685 | 4.47% | RD$ 14,161 |
| Small | 44.05% | RD$ 13,685 | 5.01% | RD$ 14,161 |
This is a significant step towards improving the lives of tourism sector workers in the Dominican Republic, and it reflects the ongoing efforts by the government and relevant organizations to ensure that workers are adequately compensated.
This salary increase is expected to have a positive effect on employee motivation and job satisfaction, which in turn could improve the quality of service offered in these establishments. Furthermore, this increase could also encourage more people to seek employment in the tourism sector, which would be beneficial for the growth and development of the industry as a whole.
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It is worth noting that this agreement is the result of consensus and cooperation among various parties, including the Ministry of Labor, the National Wage Committee, employers, and workers. This collaboration demonstrates the effectiveness of dialogue and negotiation in finding solutions to economic and labor challenges.
Despite this significant progress, challenges remain. For example, it will be important to closely monitor the implementation of these wage increases to ensure they are met as planned. Furthermore, it will be crucial to continue addressing inflation and other economic challenges to ensure that workers' real wages remain competitive and fair.
In summary, this salary increase represents an important step toward strengthening the tourism sector in the Dominican Republic. Through measures like this, the government and stakeholders are working to create a more favorable and sustainable environment for workers and the industry as a whole. As we continue to navigate an uncertain future in the context of the global economy, it is encouraging to see concrete efforts to improve the situation of workers in key sectors of our economy.
You can download CNS Resolution 03-2023 at this link:
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