The nursing guilds in the Dominican Republic have announced a nationwide work stoppage, describing the situation as unsustainable. The National Confederation of Union Syndical (CNUS) leads the measure after more than six years without government responses to their demands. “We will see what it means for a hospital without nurses”, they warn, in the face of the estimated paralysis of over 14,000 professionals this Tuesday.
Demands for salary improvements and labor conditions
The nationwide work stoppage responds to claims for fair salaries, pensions at 100% for retired nurses and labor stability. In August 2025, possible nationwide strikes were already being warned for these same demands. The indefinite strike could collapse public hospitals and polyclinics, exposing the dependence of the healthcare system on these essential workers.
Historical context of the protests in nursing
The nursing guilds exhausted dialogue channels, as required by the right to strike in the healthcare sector. Antecedents show remunerative adjustments since 2023, but insufficient to reverse precariousness. In the country, nursing faces similar overloads to regional trends, where thousands of professionals are needed to reach European averages.
Expected impact on the Dominican healthcare system
With 14,000 nurses paralyzing activities, primary care will be severely affected. Experts highlight that the nationwide work stoppage forces negotiation, but warn of risks for patients. Other social security guilds could join, expanding the scope.
- Main demands: Fair salaries, full pensions, and stable contracts.
- Duration: Indefinite, until concrete responses.
- Scope: All public centers in the country.
The government faces pressure to act, recalling that prior dialogue is key in healthcare strikes. This mobilization underscores the chronic crisis in Dominican healthcare.
The nursing guilds insist on the nationwide work stoppage as the last viable option, demanding immediate solutions to avoid a greater collapse in national medical services.
