WILLEMSTAD - A new report on social and psychological safety in the workplace reveals that 80 percent of employees in Curaçao experience unwanted behavior, such as sexual harassment and (micro)aggressions.
The report was presented on Wednesday to the Social and Economic Council (SER), which acknowledged that the issue poses a significant problem for both the labor market and the island's economy.
According to the report, compiled by Report App in collaboration with About Workplace Harassment (AWH) and Optima Arbodienst, these forms of unwanted behavior not only reduce employee well-being but also lead to lower productivity and higher staff turnover. Workers who feel unsafe are more likely to call in sick or leave their jobs.
The issue is particularly severe in sectors such as tourism and healthcare, where long working hours and job stress put additional pressure on employees. The report also notes that Curaçao’s social ties and hierarchical structures make it difficult to report incidents promptly, worsening the situation.
The report calls for structural improvements that take Curaçao’s specific cultural context into account, advocating for independent reporting systems and stronger legal frameworks to ensure workplace safety.