Some Hotels Are Abusing Their Employees' Rights

[MRJone]

I just read an article that bothered me. Some hotels, like Hacienda Resort and Sun Village, are not paying their employees overtime or demanding them to work extra hours without pay. Also, employees are been forced by management to work on holidays without extra benefits. Finally, those employees that file complaints of their mistreatment to the authorities are been fired from their jobs. I think these types of abuses are dreadful and depressing. I hope the authorities do something about it.

Puerto Plata Digital

[badpiece33]

Don't count on it.

[MRJone]

This country is never going to move forward unless the authorities put a stop to the abuses of big business. This is a disservice the Dominican Republic and the tourist industry.

[Imbert369]

Its the Dominican way get used to it

[Celt202]

Originally Posted by Imbert369

Its the Dominican way get used to it

Sad but true.

[Conchman]

Originally Posted by MRJone

This country is never going to move forward unless the authorities put a stop to the abuses of big business. This is a disservice the Dominican Republic and the tourist industry.

Its also not going to move forward until authorities put a stop on the abuse of lawyers and employees on businesses. The high amount payable under the labour law for liquidation has created a culture of employees who strive to get fired in order to collect a big check.

I have personally been victimized and accused of breaking all kinds of labour laws, which were cheap attempts to extort money from a foreign business. We've had people who we caught stealing and paid out liquidation, who sued us for 'pain and suffering' and all kinds of BS.

On the other hand, one of these hotels has numerous labour lawsuits on their hands, due to their financial and legal situation and restructring, but I would be surprised if the other hotel is guilty of the allegations. It just does not make sense to go around the law here, as there is a line of cheap lawyers waiting to file lawsuits against foreign owned companies.

These cheap and cheesy lawyers make all kinds of allegations, with absolutely no merit whatsoever, so I would not believe anything you read in the press.

[Drperson]

It is a horrible situation. People trying to make a living and support their families on a subsistance income . Having to work a ton. I am a little sympathetic to the hotels however. I worked years ago at Sunvillage . At that time they paid health insurance to their employees and it was considered a pretty good place to work. THese days its hard for many hotels to pay their bills I am sure.

There are other hotels in Playa Dorada that don't even feed their employees now. How bad it that!

What really really ****ed me off however is that the Canadian Government takes about $300 in taxes for every all inclusive vacation before they even get here. I am sure that is this money wasn't siphoned off first the employees could be paid better and get treated better.

Just my opinion

[MRJone]

Originally Posted by Conchman

Its also not going to move forward until authorities put a stop on the abuse of lawyers and employees on businesses. The high amount payable under the labour law for liquidation has created a culture of employees who strive to get fired in order to collect a big check.

I have personally been victimized and accused of breaking all kinds of labour laws, which were cheap attempts to extort money from a foreign business. We've had people who we caught stealing and paid out liquidation, who sued us for 'pain and suffering' and all kinds of BS.

On the other hand, one of these hotels has numerous labour lawsuits on their hands, due to their financial and legal situation and restructring, but I would be surprised if the other hotel is guilty of the allegations. It just does not make sense to go around the law here, as there is a line of cheap lawyers waiting to file lawsuits against foreign owned companies.

These cheap and cheesy lawyers make all kinds of allegations, with absolutely no merit whatsoever, so I would not believe anything you read in the press.

I know what you mean. I know how some Dominicans will go out of their way to con foreign businesses. Yet, that doesn't give foreign business owners the right to abuse the rest of their employees. At the end, abuse is abuse and nothing can truly prosper through the full enforcement of these types of abuses, specially coming from the employers. The Trujillista culture in the DR needs to die once and for all.

[FireGuy]

Originally Posted by Drperson

What really really ****ed me off however is that the Canadian Government takes about $300 in taxes for every all inclusive vacation before they even get here. I am sure that is this money wasn't siphoned off first the employees could be paid better and get treated better.

If you are referring to the "Taxes and Fees" which apply to Package Vacations from Canada - you are way off base.

1) Not all the money goes to the "Canadian Government" a significant amount goes to the Tour Operator in the form of fees for a variety of things like fuel surcharges, etc. They've grown accustomed to tacking things on instead of being up front and telling us the real cost for travel.

2)Another amount of money is in fact being collected on behalf of the DR Government (Tourist Card and Departure Tax) and/or other governments (like the USA or Cuba) if their airspace is traversed.

3) Of that remaining which is remitted to the "Canadian Government" not all is associated with trips to the DR but is associated with air travel irrespective of destination. This includes items such as Airport Improvement Fees, NavCan Charges, Air Security Charges, etc. If you fly ANYWHERE these charges are levied at some point by someone.

4) Finally IF some of these charges were lowered or removed do you actually think that magically this would improve the lot of DR hotel workers - I sincerely doubt it very much; just my opinion.

All in all I don't think your argument holds much water but please defend your position, I am willing to be convinced.

Also if by some chance you are referring to something other than the "Taxes and Fees" which apply to Package Vacations from Canada; please explain because that's the only thing I could think of which is close to the $300CDN you mentioned.

Gregg

P.S. - Just to give you the real scoop on the actual charges to fly south (excluding the Tour Operator "Fees"); If I were to purchase an Air Canada Vacations package for April 17 - May 1, 2010, the Taxes and Fees would be $303.55CDN. On the other hand if I were to fly on Aeroplan points on the exact same airplane (real taxes and fees, but not Tour Operator Fees have to be paid by the Aeroplan traveler) my Taxes and Fees would be $130.75CDN per person which includes the DR Tourist Card and the DR Departure Tax.

[MRJone]

One thing is for sure, I'll never go to a Hotel where they mistreat their employees.