Dominican Republic is an important supplier of sugar for the United States. The Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement was promoted as an instrument that could improve labour conditions. However, Aljazeera reports on the “hazardous working conditions”, child labour, discrimination, and the lack of a living wage for cane cutters in this country.

Business & Human Rights Resource Centre invited both Grupo Vicini and Central Romana to respond to the allegation of inadequate working conditions in their sugar plantations. The response of Grupo Vicini is available below. We have not yet heard from Central Romana. We will indicate here later if Central Romana responds.