Félix Bautista promotes law to ban the import of goods produced with forced labor
The senator for the province of San Juan, Félix Bautista, presented a bill to the Senate of the Republic with the aim of prohibiting the entry into Dominican territory of goods and merchandise that have been manufactured through forced labor. The initiative seeks not only to protect human and labor rights, but also to strengthen the competitiveness of national products in the international market.
During his speech at the legislative session, the congressman defined forced labor as any activity performed under conditions of coercion, such as threats, confinement, debt bondage, or the illegal withholding of identity documents, a common practice that especially affects migrant workers.
Impact on business competitiveness
Bautista emphasized that the country faces a competitive disadvantage due to the lack of robust legislation on this matter. As he explained, following an evaluation conducted by the United States of 60 nations, it was determined that those countries without specific laws to curb the entry of products derived from labor exploitation were subject to an additional 12.5% tariff.
We have a competition problem. This situation places Dominican exporters in a less favorable position compared to competitors from countries that already have clear legal mechanisms against this type of product.
Félix Bautista, Senator for San Juan
Scope and necessity of the law
Although the Executive Branch issued Decree 502-26 to regulate this area, the legislator argued that an administrative provision is insufficient to guarantee the necessary sanctions and obligations. In his view, it is imperative to elevate this measure to the rank of law to shield the regulations against global trade standards.
The proposal, titled the Law for the Prevention and Prohibition of the Importation of Goods and Merchandise Produced Through Forced Labor, is supported by various legislators from different parties, including Omar Fernández, Ramón Rogelio Genao, and Alexis Victoria Yeb, among others.
Project details
- Main objective: Prohibit the entry of products manufactured under labor exploitation conditions.
- Regional context: Countries such as Mexico, Argentina, Ecuador, and Guatemala have already implemented similar legislation.
- Legislative process: The bill has been requested for study in the Industry, Commerce, and MSME Commission.
With this measure, Alofoke Deportes highlights the Dominican Senate’s effort to align the country’s trade policies with international requirements, seeking to position the Dominican Republic as a more competitive and ethical player in global trade.
