WILLEMSTAD – The MAN-PIN parliamentary faction has strongly criticized Finance Minister Javier Silvania for allegedly using the issue of AOV pension adjustments for political gain and disrespecting retirees in Curaçao.
In a detailed statement, MAN-PIN outlined a timeline of events dating back to 2012, highlighting how the indexation of AOV pensions—adjusted for cost of living or economic growth—has been ignored or delayed for years, particularly under Silvania's leadership.
Silvania “Hijacking” the Issue
According to MAN-PIN, following their proposal in 2023 to amend the AOV ordinance and questions submitted to the Ministry of Social Development, Labor, and Welfare (SOAW), Minister Silvania, who is not responsible for the AOV by law, took control of the debate. He began criticizing MAN-PIN for inaction while referencing a 2017 letter from SVB (Social Insurance Bank) about unrelated matters such as health and accident insurance—not pensions.
The party accuses Silvania of manipulating the issue for over four years for political purposes without implementing any tangible measures to benefit AOV recipients. Despite promising an AOV increase during a public Central Commission meeting in September 2024, Silvania later announced on July 15, 2025, that the pensions would not be raised in January 2025. MAN-PIN believes this was a politically motivated decision triggered solely by their renewed efforts.
Timeline of Inaction and Neglect
MAN-PIN’s timeline reveals several key points:
In 2012, the AOV was indexed to cost-of-living increases.
In 2013, this policy changed to depend on real economic growth due to a deficit in the AOV fund.
From 2017 to 2024, several ministries, including Finance and Health, were involved in discussions about possible changes, yet no proposal was ever finalized.
Despite rising living costs between 2021 and 2024, no adjustments were made to AOV pensions.
In 2023, the Advisory Council (RvA) pointed out the inconsistency of paying full pensions to ENNIA retirees while AOV pensioners received no adjustments. Still, Silvania chose not to act.
In September 2024, Silvania, also acting as Minister of SOAW after PNP left the coalition, promised an increase that never materialized.
From October 2024 to June 2025, no legislative progress was made.
In July 2025, Silvania publicly dismissed any upcoming AOV increases, blaming MAN-PIN for taking the initiative he failed to act on since 2023.
Call to Action
MAN-PIN is now calling on the current SOAW Minister, Charetti America-Francisca, to take a stand and ensure the AOV pensions are indexed as required by law. The party emphasized its full support for the SOAW Minister if she acts to rectify the situation.
“Minister Silvania’s failure to keep his promise, coupled with his dismissive remarks that 'we’ll see' if AOV pensions increase in 2026, is an insult to our elderly,” the party stated. “It appears the aim is to keep pensioners disadvantaged all the way into the next election cycle.”
MAN-PIN is demanding an end to the neglect and a commitment to uphold the legal rights of pensioners, ensuring they receive fair adjustments in line with economic realities.
