Together We Care launched in the Dominican Republic

UNI Global Union and its affiliates in the Dominican Republic, the National Union of Dominican Nursing Services (UNASED), and the National Federation of Women Workers (FENAMUTRA) have launched this month Together We Care in the country. This project, developed by FENAMUTRA in collaboration with the National Council for the Elderly (CONAPE), aims to train and certify healthcare workers in areas such as occupational safety and workplace violence response, promoting unionization, and improving the working and economic conditions of women in this sector. This program is supported by the United States Government through its Agency for International Development (USAID) via the Gender Equality and Equity Action Fund (GEEA Fund).

FENAMUTRA and UNASED will work with other healthcare unions to improve the working conditions of workers who need expanded economic and human resources to enhance the quality of care in the country.

During the event, an exhaustive analysis of the public health sector and the provision of care services in the Dominican Republic and the Americas region was conducted. The analysis emphasizes developing joint cooperation strategies to improve the working conditions of health sector workers in the country.

The Minister of Health presented a plaque of recognition to the Vice President of the Republic for her work in the Health Cabinet during the most challenging times the world and the country have faced, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

Marcio Monzane, Regional Secretary of UNI Americas, stated that Together We Care is driving structural changes by strengthening collective representation and improving women’s economic security. Our goal is to achieve greater representation of health workers in unions, led by women leaders, who ensure better wages and working conditions.”

Ruth Díaz, President of FENAMUTRA, highlighted that “this program is an invaluable opportunity to improve the training and certification of care workers in the Dominican Republic. Through collaboration with CONAPE and the support of the United States Government through USAID, we hope to create a lasting impact that benefits thousands of workers and their families.”

Francisco García, President of UNASED, emphasized that “we celebrate this program, which we believe will become a transformative agent that guarantees care workers receive essential support and training to perform their duties in a dignified and safe environment.”

Members of the National Care Board, the National Social Security System and its dependencies, through the Council and the Health Cabinet, participated in the launch ceremony.

UNI Americas, the continental arm of UNI Global Union, representing more than twenty million service sector workers worldwide, invites all interested parties to join this important exchange and debate.

Together We Care is driving structural changes by strengthening collective representation, improving women’s economic security through negotiation, and promoting safer and violence-free work environments. Our goal is to achieve greater representation of health and care workers in unions, led by women leaders, who ensure better wages and working conditions and reduce workplace inequalities.