WILLEMSTAD – The Curaçao Hospitality and Tourism Association (CHATA) is calling for a fact-based discussion about wages, working conditions, and informal employment in the island's tourism industry, following the release of an independent study conducted by Deloitte among 17 hospitality companies employing more than 4,000 workers.
The research examined employment conditions within the hospitality sector between 2022 and 2024 and provides new information about salary developments, employment contracts, and employee benefits.
According to the findings, average gross monthly salaries increased slightly during the period examined. The study also found that 65 percent of employees working for the participating companies held permanent full-time contracts, while approximately two-thirds of the employers offered pension arrangements.
CHATA believes the findings can help establish a more informed discussion about the economic and social impact of Curaçao's growing tourism industry.
Salaries Show Modest Growth
One of the study's findings is that average gross monthly wages in the participating hospitality businesses increased modestly between 2022 and 2024.
Although the research indicates a positive trend in nominal salaries, the information released does not specify the exact average wages or the percentage increase during the two-year period.
It also does not establish whether salary growth exceeded inflation or resulted in greater purchasing power for employees.
Nevertheless, CHATA considers the findings an important contribution to the ongoing debate about compensation in the tourism industry.
The organization maintains that discussions about wages and employment conditions should be based on reliable data rather than assumptions about the sector.
Majority of Employees Have Permanent Contracts
The study also provides insight into employment security among the participating companies.
According to Deloitte's findings, 65 percent of employees have permanent full-time employment contracts.
This indicates that nearly two-thirds of the workers covered by the study are employed under arrangements that provide continuity of employment.
The remaining employees work under other contractual arrangements, although the summary of the findings does not provide a detailed breakdown of temporary, part-time, or other employment categories.
Another finding concerns retirement benefits.
Approximately two-thirds of the 17 participating hospitality employers provide pension arrangements for their employees.
CHATA considers these results relevant to the broader discussion about the quality of employment within Curaçao's tourism sector.
However, the findings represent the participating companies and should not automatically be interpreted as reflecting employment conditions throughout the entire tourism industry, including smaller businesses and informal employment.
Tourism Growth Must Benefit Local Workers
CHATA emphasizes that the continued expansion of Curaçao's tourism industry must translate into sustainable prosperity for the local population.
The organization believes economic growth should create opportunities for employees to improve their financial circumstances, develop professional skills, and advance into higher positions within the industry.
This includes ensuring that workers have access to training and career development opportunities that allow them to benefit from the sector's expansion.
Tourism has become an increasingly important contributor to Curaçao's economy, generating employment and supporting businesses across hospitality, transportation, food services, entertainment, and other related industries.
However, the industry's growth has also generated discussions about wages, employment conditions, the availability of qualified workers, and the extent to which local residents benefit from tourism development.
CHATA acknowledges the importance of addressing these issues through cooperation between employers, employees, and public institutions.
Research to Support Discussions With Government and Unions
The hospitality association intends to use the Deloitte findings as a foundation for discussions with the government, labor unions, and educational institutions.
The objective is to identify opportunities for improving employment conditions, strengthening professional development, and ensuring that tourism growth contributes to long-term economic prosperity.
Cooperation with educational institutions is considered particularly important for preparing local workers for employment opportunities and career advancement within the hospitality industry.
CHATA also wants the research to contribute to discussions about informal employment and the development of a more sustainable labor market.
The information released does not provide specific findings on the scale of informal employment within the participating companies or the broader tourism sector.
The organization nevertheless considers the issue part of the wider conversation about employment quality and responsible economic development.
By presenting the study, CHATA hopes to encourage a more constructive dialogue in which decisions about the future of tourism employment are supported by measurable information.
The association maintains that a successful tourism industry should not be judged solely by visitor numbers and economic growth, but also by the opportunities and long-term benefits it creates for the people of Curaçao.