The Dominican Federation of Merchants (FDC) warned this Tuesday that micro, small and medium-sized businesses (MSMEs) will make a payment of RD$100 for solid waste if the National Congress does not modify the established rates before June 30.
This warning was established by the president of the entity, Ivan Garciaduring a press conference with representatives of the country’s 32 provinces.
“On the 30th the deadline that is in force in the general directorate of internal taxes expires, and today we are at 16 and we have no solution. For this reason, the decision has been made that if on June 30, in Congress, the rates of law 98-25 have not been modified, the country’s MSMEs will only pay RD$100, because, according to the law, they gave deadlines to do it in two payments, and the law does not say what percentage it is that you have to pay,” said García.
Merchants warn that they will pay a symbolic RD$100 if they do not modify solid waste rates
For this reason, he described the increases applied to solid waste management rates as “abusive,” noting that some amounts went from RD$260,000 to RD$675,000; from RD$90,000 to RD$260,000, and from RD$30,000 to RD$155,000.
In his speech, the leader explained that the federation has held meetings with the presidents of the Senate and Chamber of Deputiesas well as with the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and MSMEs and the General Directorate of Internal Taxes (DGII), seeking a modification of rates.
Following this scenario, he indicated that the MSMEs agreed to make a symbolic payment of RD$100 to avoid violating the law, arguing that the regulations allow the payment to be made in two installments, but do not specify the percentage that must be paid in each one.
“We are only going to pay RD$100 per company, hoping that both senators and deputies modify this law that penalizes all MSMEs in the Dominican Republic,” he stated.
At the meeting, the federation also expressed its concern about other factors that, according to it, increase the operating costs of the sector and influence consumer prices, including the high commissions charged by acquiring companies in transactions with debit and credit cards.
According to García, between 65% and 80% of commercial operations are carried out through electronic means, for which merchants pay commissions that range between 4% and 8%.
Likewise, he denounced alleged unfair competition by Chinese businesses and large pharmacy chains, a situation that, he said, is affecting the profitability of thousands of traditional businesses throughout the country.
