The President of the Dominican National Federation of Rice Producers (Fenarroz), Marcelo Reyes expressed the need for Haitian labor in the agricultural sector. He says the double standards against Haitians in the country must end as their assistance is vital.
Reyes believes implementing effective mechanisms to produce food with Haitian labor in the countryside is essential. He argues that the Labor Code, which implies 80% Dominican and 20% foreign workforce, is not applicable in farming and needs adjustment.
He notes that the Haitian workforce in rice production is mobile and transitions from one farm to another. He estimates the yearly requirement of Haitian labor in the rice sector could be around 100,000.
Reyes stated the more technical jobs, such as fertilization, tractor operation and leveling are performed by Dominicans. He also expressed his trust in the government to protect rice producers from tariff reductions on the product starting January 2025, under DR-CAFTA.