Dominican Republic Labor Minister demands rights for digital platform workers

Dominican Republic Labor Minister Eddy Olivares is calling on digital platform companies to recognize and guarantee labor rights for their workers. The push targets various sectors of the digital economy, including passenger transport, food and goods delivery, and software development.

Olivares highlighted that workers for platforms such as Uber, inDrive, and PedidosYa face significant occupational risks, particularly during rapid deliveries. He noted that many of these individuals are managed via algorithms rather than traditional employment structures, which complicates their access to social protections. Currently, many workers lack affiliation with the Dominican Social Security System, meaning the State often bears the high costs of accidents and disabilities that would otherwise be covered by the Institute for the Prevention and Protection of Occupational Risks (IDOPPRIL).

While platform executives have argued that service providers are not employees, Olivares countered that workers should not be classified as independent entrepreneurs simply because they provide their own vehicles. He noted that the ministry is prioritizing the regulation of these new employment modalities, following similar legislative trends seen in Europe and other parts of Latin America supported by the International Labour Organization.