WILLEMSTAD – Aruba and Curaçao express their interest in a similar arrangement to establish a social minimum. During a meeting with the outgoing Dutch Minister Carola Schouten of Poverty Policy, the ministers from the two islands discussed this matter.
Minister Schouten explained how the Netherlands conducted research into suitable amounts for the people in Bonaire, Saba, and Sint Eustatius during her visit to Curaçao on October 27.
In Curaçao, a staggering 60 percent of the population lives around the minimum wage, according to Minister Larmonie-Cicilia of Social Development and Employment. This year, the minimum wage was increased from 9.62 to 10.70 guilders per hour, and the social assistance benefits rose to 422.24 guilders per month.
However, these increases are still not sufficient to make ends meet, the minister admits.
With a population of 150,000 inhabitants, approximately 45,000 Curaçaoans live below the poverty line. These are the official figures, but the reality may be even more severe. An investigation is currently underway to determine the actual extent of poverty on the island.
A social minimum guarantees that people can make ends meet even without work and compels the government to adjust the minimum wage and benefits when the cost of living increases. This adjustment occurs automatically.
Concerns in The Hague that higher benefits and wages would further fuel inflation in the Caribbean Netherlands and reduce the incentive to work have not resulted in the planned increases being canceled. On the contrary, the amounts will be realistically adjusted.
To prevent these increases from leading to even higher costs for businesses, it has been decided that companies will be compensated. This decision was made by the Second Chamber and Minister Schouten.
Autonomous
As autonomous countries within the Kingdom, Aruba and Curaçao determine their poverty policies and the level of their benefits and minimum wage. The Netherlands is willing to provide further advice, but the choices lie with the countries themselves, emphasized the outgoing Minister Schouten.
Rocco Tjon from Aruba and Ruthmilda Larmonie-Cecilia from Curaçao have indicated they want to take concrete steps in the fight against poverty. Aruba will, in collaboration with Nibud and the social minimum research commission, conduct research into the poverty issue on the island.
Curaçao has already reached an agreement with Nibud for research and recommendations to combat poverty. The sharing of knowledge and methodologies is central to the approach of both islands.