WILLEMSTAD - The six major trade unions (the 'Block of Six') have started negotiations in working groups. The unions announced this in a press release. The Block of Six has agreed that the working groups will meet twice a week. Negotiations on the 12.5 percent salary cut must be completed by November 16.
The working groups consist of representatives of the six trade unions and employees of the Ministry of Finance and the Secretary General of the Ministry of Administration, Planning and Services (BPD) who acts as a representative of the government.
With the negotiations, the unions want to achieve that they will be paid a salary again without a 12.5% salary cut. In addition, the unions want clarity about when salaries will be paid in full again. Following the negotiations, a general meeting will be convened to approve or reject the negotiation result.
In the meeting of 15 October, the government maintained its position and the Standards for Top Incomes Act must therefore be in force in order to abolish the 12.5 salary cut.