WILLEMSTAD - All public sector employees in Curaçao will receive a 150-guilder gift card from Maduro & Curiel's Bank (MCB) and a Christmas party, according to an announcement by Finance Minister Javier Silvania (MFK). The minister, known for labeling his updates as "Breaking News," shared the information but refrained from disclosing the total cost to taxpayers or the exact number of employees who will benefit.
Minister Silvania acknowledged receiving questions about the expenses but has not yet provided details. Similarly, the Minister of Governance, Planning, and Public Services (BPD) was also asked for further clarification.
Teachers and education staff are also included in the gesture, with a "small present" valued at 150 guilders being distributed through school boards, Silvania noted.
However, opposition parties have criticized the move, particularly with the March 2025 parliamentary elections on the horizon. They have labeled the initiative as "pure campaigning with public funds," raising concerns about the timing and motive behind the generous gesture.
While some view the announcement as a goodwill effort during the festive season, others see it as politically motivated. The debate over the use of public funds for such initiatives is likely to intensify as the election date approaches.