WILLEMSTAD - The Curaçao General Trade Union Confederation (CGTC) argues that breaking contracts and revising labor laws are essential for increasing employment. This conclusion is drawn from the responses received from catering companies in a recent survey.
Minister of Economic Development Ruisandro Cijntje shares concerns about the hospitality sector, particularly in relation to local employment, which he believes can be improved. The minister emphasizes the responsibility of both employers and unions in addressing the issue of some employees not fulfilling their mandatory work obligations.
Temporary contracts, for instance, are deemed inadequate for generating positive long-term effects in the labor market. According to CGTC, these contracts, along with on-call contracts, should be replaced with more stable and longer-term employment arrangements.
At present, a recurring problem is that local employees often discontinue their work engagements prematurely. Consequently, catering entrepreneurs claim to face staff shortages. CGTC intends to launch a campaign that motivates local employees to actively seek employment and, more importantly, retain their jobs.
Introducing new and improved employment conditions is expected to make catering and hospitality work more appealing to this group of individuals. Consequently, the sector would be able to recruit employees from the local community instead of relying on foreign workers.