WILLEMSTAD – The Instituto Nashonal di Idioma Kòrsou (INIC), the national language institute, established to promote and develop Curaçao’s local language and culture, is facing significant financial challenges just 11 months after its founding.
INIC, which emerged from a merger between the Fundashon pa Planifikashon di Idioma (FPI), the language planning foundation, and the Fundashon Material pa Skol (FMS), the school material foundation, officially began operations in December 2023. However, by November 2024, financial difficulties had arisen, causing uncertainty and unrest among its employees.
According to Darius ‘Lio’ Plantijn, president of the teachers’ union SITEK, workers are considering legal action to secure their rights. Plantijn attributes the financial problems to the failure to transfer employment conditions from FPI and FMS to INIC during the merger. In November, employees were informed that their payments might cease, sparking frustration and anger.
Tensions escalated when it was revealed that the director had hired a consultant for advice, further aggravating staff dissatisfaction. Despite SITEK’s attempts to mediate, no resolution has been reached. The union emphasizes that responsibility lies with the government and INIC leadership.
Workers are now demanding clarity about their future and the payment of overdue salaries. SITEK has called on the government to intervene and provide the necessary support to stabilize the institute.
The situation underscores the urgent need for action to ensure the sustainability of INIC and its mission to preserve and promote Curaçao’s cultural and linguistic heritage.