WILLEMSTAD – Employers in Curaçao are required to grant their employees at least four consecutive hours of paid leave on Friday, March 21, to allow them to vote in the upcoming elections. This measure, confirmed in a government press release, ensures that all eligible voters have sufficient time to cast their ballots.
The rule applies to workers who would not otherwise have at least four free hours during the designated voting period, which runs from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
According to Curaçao’s Electoral Ordinance and Civil Code, employers must adjust their schedules at least one week before the elections to accommodate this requirement.
Employees working night shifts (11:30 PM – 7:30 AM) or evening shifts (3:30 PM – 11:30 PM) are generally considered to have adequate time to vote and are not automatically entitled to additional leave. However, day-shift workers (7:30 AM – 3:30 PM) who do not have four free hours within voting times must be granted the necessary leave.
"The measure ensures that all eligible voters can participate in the elections without obstruction," the government stated.