Looking for Female American Expats

ustelephone · #1 06-16-2009, 01:52 PM

I've been doing business in Santo Domingo for about 5 years. I need to hire 3-4 employeess to work doing a specialized form of customer service, not sales. My partner and I have decided that we want to hire American expats because we believe it is the only way to operate here and keep our clients satisfied. We are willing to pay slightly higher than call center rates. I am looking for females, preferably retired American expats, that have experience in customer service in the US. Our company will go out of pocket to assist qualified candidates with residency so that they can legally work for our DR corporation.

My question to my fellow posters, especially those of you with some time here on the island is this: Which location on the island is the place where I will have the best chance of finding these candidates? Also, please let me know any pros/cons like week long power failures or poor internet service related to the location. both of which are critical to my business.

I was ready to pack up my stuff and get the hell out of SD heading for Sosua. Many friends have recommended the place, also saying it's a cheap place to live. It sounds a little to good to be true, so I figured I'd turn to the board.

Thanks in advance.

catcherintherye · #2 06-16-2009, 02:45 PM

It is a matter of personal preference more than anything, in my opinion. I like Sosua very much. It is small enough to get around easily on foot, and yet it is still big enough to be interesting.

There is a substantial community of expats in Sosua, and they come from around the globe, offering a diverse and interesting character to the place. For the most part, everyone I have met has been friendly, polite, and engaging. There are many interesting characters living in the area, and many more who visit on a regular basis.

I appreciate the less complicated life-style I have experienced in Sosua. While some might like the sophistication of SD or even Santiago, I prefer a more the laid back approach to living, and I have found that to be the case in Sosua. To me, there seems to be less pretense here, and I always felt a genuine sense of acceptance within the community.

Of course, this is just my take on it. I'm sure others have a different perspective. Sosua isn't for everybody, but for me it works. It's a place where I feel at home, and I expect to remain in Sosua, at least for the foreseeable future.

Black Dog · #3 06-16-2009, 03:02 PM

I'm with catcher 100% I have a business in Sosua and it offers everything I want. I'm not knocking any other locations just promoting Sosua!

SteveS · #4 06-16-2009, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ustelephone

I've been doing business in Santo Domingo for about 5 years. I need to hire 3-4 employeess to work doing a specialized form of customer service, not sales. My partner and I have decided that we want to hire American expats because we believe it is the only way to operate here and keep our clients satisfied. We are willing to pay slightly higher than call center rates. I am looking for females, preferably retired American expats, that have experience in customer service in the US. Our company will go out of pocket to assist qualified candidates with residency so that they can legally work for our DR corporation.

My question to my fellow posters, especially those of you with some time here on the island is this: Which location on the island is the place where I will have the best chance of finding these candidates? Also, please let me know any pros/cons like week long power failures or poor internet service related to the location. both of which are critical to my business.

I was ready to pack up my stuff and get the hell out of SD heading for Sosua. Many friends have recommended the place, also saying it's a cheap place to live. It sounds a little to good to be true, so I figured I'd turn to the board.

Thanks in advance.

How do you propose to get around the 10% rule regarding non residents employees?

Its not a dig, just interested as I was told there was no getting out of it.

catcherintherye · #5 06-16-2009, 08:15 PM

"Our company will go out of pocket to assist qualified candidates with residency so that they can legally work for our DR corporation."

It looks like his company will assist these employees in obtaining their resident visas. At least that is the way I read it.

SteveS · #6 06-17-2009, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catcherintherye

"Our company will go out of pocket to assist qualified candidates with residency so that they can legally work for our DR corporation."

It looks like his company will assist these employees in obtaining their resident visas. At least that is the way I read it.

"At least 80% of an entity’s work force must be Dominican (Art. 135)."

I understand that, but (after checking now) 80% of employees Dominican. Now there is an exception where the position is a "technical" position and there is no available Dominican labor available, but no English speaking call centre operators here? And a call centre operator a technical position? I think you'd struggle to argue that.

I had this same conversation with the lawyers a while back due to a project I was asked to look into for an overseas firm, but we just couldn't make it work the way they wanted due to overseas labor quota. Well, not within the legal framework, shall we say.

http://dr1.com/legal/business/Labor_Law.pdf

See section 2.2.2

Reading that also, says that....

"Likewise, no less than 80% of the payroll, with the exception of salaries for technical or executive positions, must correspond to wages earned by Dominicans (Art. 136)."

Does this mean that you cannot pay people more if they do a good job in case you're in breach of the labor code??! Seems a little harsh on the 80% you can't do it for!!

SteveS · #7 06-17-2009, 09:33 AM

I found the article 137 for less than 10 employees.

Artículo 137.-
Cuando el número de trabajadores de una empresa es
menor de diez, rigen las reglas siguientes:
1º. Si son nueve los trabajadores, seis deben ser dominicanos;
2º. Sin son ocho o siete los trabajadores, cinco deben
ser dominicanos;
3º. Si son seis los trabajadores, cuatro deben ser dominicanos.
4º. Sin son cinco o cuatro los trabajadores, tres deben
ser dominicanos;
5º. Si son tres los trabajadores, dos deben ser dominicanos;
6º. Si son dos los trabajadores, uno debe ser dominicano;
7º. Si se trata de un sólo trabajador, éste debe ser dominicano.

And for those with little or no Spanish

9 employees - 6 Dominicans
7/8 Employees - 5 Dominicans
6 Employees - 4 Dominicans
4/5 Employees - 3 Dominicans
3 Employees - 2 Dominicans
2 Employees - 1 Dominican
1 Employee - 1 Dominican

catcherintherye · #8 06-17-2009, 09:59 AM

Steve,

How is "Dominican" defined in Ley 16-92? Is a Dominican defined as natural-born citizen, or any Dominican citizen, or could a resident be considered to be Dominican?

I am not asking this as a rhetorical question. I don't know the answer, and I would be interested in learning how "Dominican" is legally defined.

SteveS · #9 06-17-2009, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catcherintherye

Steve,

How is "Dominican" defined in Ley 16-92? Is a Dominican defined as natural-born citizen, or any Dominican citizen, or could a resident be considered to be Dominican?

I am not asking this as a rhetorical question. I don't know the answer, and I would be interested in learning how "Dominican" is legally defined.

I would think that Dominican would mean Dominican Citizen, anything else would be British/US/Canadian with residency wouldn't it?

Ok, Google pointed me here.........

Dominican Republic

Quote:

Labor

The Dominican Constitution provides the right of workers to strike and the right of private sector employers to lock out workers. The Dominican Labor Code, which became law in June 1992, is a comprehensive piece of legislation that establishes policies and procedures for many aspects of employer-employee relationships, ranging from hours of work and overtime and vacation pay to severance pay, causes for termination, and union registration. The Labor Code requires that 80 percent of non-management workers of a company be Dominican nationals.

I am personally involved in an different style issue for this, as I would like the ability to distribute insurance as a sideline to another project, however that requires 6 full years residency, or being Dominican. Under the new constitution, I get automatic Nationality (I believe), however I would lose my Embassy help if I ever ran into difficulties......

Still debating that one....

ustelephone · #10 06-17-2009, 12:03 PM

I appreciate all of the extra information, but my question is which city give me the best shot of finding 5-6 US expats, female, with US customer service experience. I prefer expats that have retired here as I need long-term employees.

With respect to all the questions about taxes, I was very clear in my post that my company's law firm, Grupo Consortium - Dominican Republic Legal Services, will handle residency for any candidates. I have been doing business in the DR for 5 years. As a guest of this country I have always respected its labor laws. Our company offers wages that are meant to attract the most qualified candidates available, an we pay the taxes required by law.

I'm leaning towards Sosua based on most of the relevant responses. I'd really like to know if I'm just missing a certain circle here in the capital where I can find these candidates. I'm a little tired of moving and can handle life in SD; I'm just not finding the type of candidates I need.

Thanks to all.