WILLEMSTAD – The Curaçao government has officially revised its moratorium on work permits for foreign labor in an effort to support the island’s tourism and hospitality industries. The new policy, which takes effect today, replaces the broader moratorium from 2021 and narrows the restrictions to a smaller set of job functions, effectively opening the door for more foreign workers in critical sectors. 

In a press conference scheduled for later today, Minister of Social Development, Labor and Welfare (SOAW) Javier Silvania will be joined by representatives from the tourism industry, including CHATA and CASHA, to provide further details. These industry groups had long called for more flexibility in the permit system, citing persistent staffing shortages that have threatened the growth and quality of service in the sector. 

Under the revised policy, work permits for foreign nationals will only be restricted for a select list of low-skilled positions. These include administrative staff with limited qualifications, security guards, warehouse workers, shelf stockers, sales clerks, and retail employees. Crucially, roles such as hospitality and bar staff have been removed from the restricted list, meaning employers can once again hire foreign workers for these functions. 

The updated regulation—officially titled Moratorium on Work Permits for Certain Professions and Job Functions—was published on June 19 in Curaçao’s official gazette. 

An evaluation of the new policy will take place in one year. That review will assess the number of work permit applications and approvals, the availability of local labor, and the extent to which key sectors remain dependent on foreign workers. 

The reform is seen as a significant step in balancing labor market protection for local residents with the urgent practical needs of the island’s growing tourism economy.