WILLEMSTAD – A legislative proposal by political party Movemiento Futuro Kòrsou (MFK) to revise Curaçao’s 2008 Social Assistance Act needs substantial revision, according to a critical assessment by the Advisory Council (Raad van Advies). The council found the proposal lacking in both policy coherence and practical feasibility, noting that it fails to align with broader social welfare measures.
The MFK’s proposed changes aim to give welfare recipients more flexibility to earn additional income without facing immediate reductions to their benefits. Under the new plan, single individuals would be allowed to earn up to 500 guilders per month on top of their assistance without any deductions. Currently, any income exceeding 914 guilders leads to a cut in benefits. The bill proposes increasing the threshold to approximately 1,415 guilders per month before full benefit loss occurs.
A similar increase is proposed for married couples. Presently, welfare assistance is fully withdrawn once household income exceeds roughly 1,580 guilders per month. MFK proposes an additional exemption of 865 guilders, raising the cap to about 2,445 guilders per month without full withdrawal.
According to the MFK, the proposal is intended to promote labor participation and self-reliance. The party also argues that current welfare thresholds are outdated and fall below the cost of living.
Council Raises Red Flags
While the Advisory Council acknowledges the proposal’s goals, it raises significant concerns about its execution. The council emphasizes that welfare policy must be integrated with other tools, such as the minimum wage and the official poverty line, to ensure consistency and effectiveness. Without this holistic approach, the proposal risks being ineffective or even counterproductive.
The council also questions the bill’s practical viability, noting the lack of comprehensive data on total incomes of welfare recipients — including allowances and supplementary support. This data gap makes it difficult to assess the financial impact of the proposed changes. In addition, ongoing issues with enforcement and implementation must be resolved before any expansion of income exemptions can be effectively introduced.
Furthermore, the council points out the absence of essential support services. To ensure successful labor market participation, welfare recipients would need access to job training, childcare, and other social services. Without these complementary measures, the proposed income flexibility may have limited real-world impact.
Legal and Editorial Issues
The Advisory Council also identified legal and editorial shortcomings in the bill. The language used does not clearly explain how recipients can access the proposed income exemptions, and quarterly reporting requirements are deemed impractical for both recipients and administrators.
In conclusion, the Advisory Council states that the proposal in its current form is underdeveloped and insufficiently embedded in the broader socio-economic context. It recommends that the legislation be sent back for significant revision before moving forward.