NEW YORK.- Just hours after President Luis Abinader departed from this city following his participation in the 79th session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, the newly appointed Dominican consul in New York, Jesús -Chú- Vásquez, terminated the employment of several individuals, primarily leaders from the PRM section.
According to a highly reliable source, these dismissals were enacted because the individuals affected are pensioned by the Dominican government, making them ineligible to hold multiple positions within the public sector.
On an official consulate letterhead, dated September 27, 2004, the notifications of these cancellations state: “I hereby inform you that, as of September 30 of this year, by order of the Operational Address of this Dominican Consulate General in New York City, it has been decided to terminate your services.”
“With nothing further to express and appreciative of your dedication, we wish you success in your future endeavors.”
You may be interested in reading: Chú Vásquez takes office as the new Dominican consul in New York.
Those dismissed include José Tapia, Cándido Gutiérrez, Erasmo Chalas, Ana Mercedes Burgos, Agustín Ogando, Darío Abreu, Ambiorix Hernández, Luis Núñez, Ramon Chacón, Manuel Domínguez, Juan Cordero, Ángel Mambrú (Peñita), and Henry Quirico.
The president and general secretary of the PRM-NY section, Vice Consul Yulín Mateo, and Index Director John Sánchez informed this reporter that the cancellations are “real and based on the criteria that they are pensioners.”
They added, “The Honorable Consul is currently in the Dominican Republic, and as a political party, we will meet with him upon his return to discuss this matter. Many of the dismissed individuals receive very low pensions in the Dominican Republic, around $20,000 to $30,000 Dominican pesos per month, and they supplemented their daily expenses in New York with their consulate salaries.”
Party leaders, requesting to remain anonymous, assert that Consul Vásquez “has chosen not to dismiss PLD employees who earn salaries nearing $2,000, and they seem untouchable.”
The same source indicated that when the consul returns from the Dominican Republic, more terminations will likely follow, as a few days ago, he met with various departmental heads to inform them that the consulate would operate with only 50% of the current employees.
It was reported that under Consul Vásquez’s direction, approximately 150 Dominicans are employed across the main office and six satellite offices. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Dominican Republic (MIREX), these offices are located in Upper Manhattan, The Bronx, Brooklyn, Connecticut, Freeport, and Copiague in the Long Island area.
Recent Changes at the Dominican Consulate in New York: What You Need to Know
NEW YORK.- A few hours after President Luis Abinader left this city, following his participation in the 79th session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, significant personnel changes occurred at the Dominican Consulate in New York. The new consul, Jesús “Chú” Vásquez, has enacted the cancellation of several employees primarily associated with the Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM).
Reasons Behind the Cancellations
According to credible sources, the recent cancellations primarily affect employees who are already pensioned by the Dominican government. This decision was influenced by regulations that prevent individuals from holding dual public sector roles. An official communication from the consulate, dated September 27, 2024, confirms these dismissals, stating:
“I hereby write to you to notify you that, as of September 30 of this year, by order of the Operational Address of this Dominican Consulate General in New York City, it has been decided to dispense with their services.”
Additionally, the message expressed gratitude to the dismissed employees for their dedication to their duties and wished them success in their future endeavors.
List of Dismissed Employees
The layoffs involve a significant number of individuals, including:
- José Tapia
- Cándido Gutiérrez
- Erasmo Chalas
- Ana Mercedes Burgos
- Agustín Ogando
- Darío Abreu
- Ambiorix Hernández
- Luis Núñez
- Ramon Chacón
- Manuel Domínguez
- Juan Cordero
- Ángel Mambrú (Peñita)
- Henry Quirico
Reactions to the Layoffs
The president and general secretary of the PRM-New York section, along with vice consul Yulín Mateo and director of the Index, John Sánchez, have acknowledged the legitimacy of these cancellations based on the “pensioner status” of those dismissed.
Many former employees reportedly rely on their consulate salaries to supplement their modest pensions of approximately $20,000 to $30,000 Dominican pesos monthly, which many argue is insufficient to sustain a living in New York.
Concerns from Party Leaders
Notably, leaders within the party, who opted to remain anonymous, expressed concerns about the consul’s selective approach to dismissals. They claim that instead of targeting PRM employees, there seems to be reluctance to address the salaries of PLD employees, which can exceed $2,000 per month.
Future Considerations and Consultative Meetings
Further cancellations are anticipated upon Consul Vásquez’s return from the Dominican Republic, where he reportedly communicated to departmental directors about maintaining only 50% of the current staffing levels.
The Dominican Consulate in New York oversees about 150 Dominican nationals across its headquarters and six satellite offices located in:
| Location | Service Area |
|---|---|
| Upper Manhattan | Consular Services |
| The Bronx | Community Outreach |
| Brooklyn | Cultural Programs |
| Connecticut | Legal Assistance |
| Freeport | Emergency Services |
| Copiague | Family Services |
Practical Tips for Affected Employees
For those impacted by the layoffs, here are some practical tips:
- Explore New Opportunities: Utilize local job boards and professional networks to find new employment in your area.
- Financial Planning: Consider budgeting strategies to navigate the transition period with a reduced income.
- Networking: Reconnect with former colleagues and community members to discover potential job leads.
- Seek Support: Engage with local organizations that provide assistance for displaced workers.
- Skill Enhancement: Take advantage of online courses to upgrade skills that may improve job prospects.
Looking Ahead: The Impact of Staffing Changes
While the immediate ramifications of these cancellations may affect the livelihoods of those dismissed, this shift also presents an opportunity for the Dominican Consulate in New York to reevaluate its operational structure. The overall impact of these changes will depend on how the consulate manages staffing efficiencies while continuing to serve the Dominican community effectively.
As the consulate prepares for potential further changes in personnel and operations, the constituents and stakeholders in the Dominican community will likely be watching closely. With President Abinader’s administration focusing on improving government structure and public service, the personnel decisions at the consulate align with broader efforts for efficiency and accountability within Dominican public service institutions.
