Experts Warn Nearly Half of Dominican Workers Suffer Workplace Stress and Anxiety
Experts at the Third Occupational Safety and Health Forum in Santo Domingo revealed that nearly half of Dominican workers experience stress and anxiety due to psychosocial workplace conditions. Organized by the Dominican Institute for Prevention and Protection of Occupational Risks (Idoppril), the forum highlighted factors such as excessive workloads, poor leadership, weak organizational structures, and low wages as primary drivers of declining mental health and productivity. Social psychologist Telésforo González noted that these issues often escalate into chronic illnesses and increase risks of traffic accidents, criticizing the allocation of less than 1% of the public health budget to mental health. Industry leaders, including COPARDOM president Laura Peña Izquierdo and CASC vice president Esperidón Villa, emphasized the need for better social support, fair task distribution, and stronger enforcement of occupational regulations. They argued that current laws are insufficiently enforced and require updates to address modern labor realities. The consensus among participants was that improving workplace mental health is critical not only for individual well-being but also for enhancing national productivity and economic development in the Dominican Republic.
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Experts Warn Nearly Half of Dominican Workers Suffer Workplace Stress and Anxiety
Experts at the Third Occupational Safety and Health Forum in Santo Domingo revealed that nearly half of Dominican workers experience stress and anxiety due to psychosocial workplace conditions. Organized by the Dominican Institute for Prevention and Protection of Occupational Risks (Idoppril), the forum highlighted factors such as excessive workloads, poor leadership, weak organizational structures, and low wages as primary drivers of declining mental health and productivity. Social psychologist Telésforo González noted that these issues often escalate into chronic illnesses and increase risks of traffic accidents, criticizing the allocation of less than 1% of the public health budget to mental health. Industry leaders, including COPARDOM president Laura Peña Izquierdo and CASC vice president Esperidón Villa, emphasized the need for better social support, fair task distribution, and stronger enforcement of occupational regulations. They argued that current laws are insufficiently enforced and require updates to address modern labor realities. The consensus among participants was that improving workplace mental health is critical not only for individual well-being but also for enhancing national productivity and economic development in the Dominican Republic.
Dominican Today