WILLEMSTAD - The government has firmly rejected the demands of civil servants' unions to retroactively withdraw a cuts law that has imposed a 12.5 percent reduction in employment conditions since 2020. Deputy Prime Minister Charles Cooper stated during a press conference on Wednesday that complying with this demand would violate existing regulations.
The unions are calling for the reversal of wage and pension cuts effective from 2023, which includes indexing and a lump sum payment for the period from 2021 to 2023.
Cooper clarified that pensioners will only become eligible for indexing once the pension fund APC achieves financial stability, specifically a coverage ratio between 105 and 115 percent.
Minister of Finance Javier Silvania added that the government has already allocated millions in bonuses, vacation pay, and salary increases for prior years since 2022, indicating ongoing financial support for civil servants.
Despite the unions' requests, the government has made it clear that no additional funds will be available for further payments, reinforcing their position on the matter. The ongoing dispute highlights the tensions between the government and civil servants as both sides navigate the financial implications of the cuts law.