WILLEMSTAD – During the 2025 budget discussions on December 9, 2024, the MFK parliamentary faction supported a motion to provide a one-time bonus, known as the “Bashí Premi”, to recipients of the AOV pension whose monthly income is equal to or less than NAƒ 1,100. The motion received widespread approval, recognizing the financial vulnerability of this group.
Statistics from the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) show that approximately 51,000 citizens receive AOV, with nearly 23,000 earning no more than NAƒ 1,100 per month. The Ministry of Finance confirmed that the “Bashí Premi” payment was distributed on January 10, 2024, to those eligible. However, concerns persist about pensioners with incomes just above this threshold who still face significant financial challenges.
Background and Ongoing Concerns
The last adjustment to the AOV benefits occurred in 2012, leaving recipients with stagnant income for over a decade, despite the rising cost of living. A 2018 CBS study on poverty levels revealed that the minimum survival income for an adult in Curaçao was NAƒ 1,315. While CBS recommended annual adjustments to align with inflation, these recommendations have not been implemented.
Parliamentarian Ramón Yung of MFK highlighted these concerns to Minister of Finance Javier Silvania. He noted that many AOV recipients rely solely on their pensions or minimal additional income, which remains below the survival threshold of NAƒ 1,315.
Calls for Action
Yung has asked the government to disclose the total cost of the “Bashí Premi” distributed so far. He also questioned whether the government acknowledges the severe financial challenges faced by AOV recipients and whether it recognizes that the minimum survival income, based on CBS data, exceeds current AOV payments.
Furthermore, Yung inquired about the feasibility of including AOV recipients earning less than NAƒ 1,315 in future “Bashí Premi” programs. He urged the government to estimate the cost of extending the bonus to this additional group and evaluate whether the financial surplus recorded in 2024 provides sufficient flexibility to accommodate this measure.
Finally, Yung pressed the Minister to outline a timeline for when this group might expect similar financial support, emphasizing the urgency of addressing their economic struggles.
A Push for Support
Yung stressed the importance of swift action to bring clarity and hope to vulnerable citizens. Expanding financial support for AOV recipients, particularly those just above the current eligibility threshold, could significantly alleviate the financial burden on Curaçao’s pensioners.