WILLEMSTAD – Member of Parliament Ishahier Monte of the MFK party is working on draft legislation aimed at introducing a temporary social and financial safety net for employees who lose their jobs through no fault of their own.
The proposed law seeks to establish a transition fund that would provide short-term financial support to workers facing sudden unemployment. According to Monte, the initiative is designed to prevent individuals from falling into immediate financial hardship after losing their income.
Under the proposal, eligible employees would receive a temporary unemployment benefit for a maximum period of five months. During this time, individuals would receive 50 percent of their last earned salary, on the condition that the job loss was not due to their own actions and that they actively seek new employment or alternative sources of income.
Monte noted that the current situation leaves many workers financially vulnerable when they lose their jobs, often leading to broader social and economic difficulties. The transition fund, he said, would act as a bridge between jobs, giving individuals time to reorient their careers, explore new opportunities, or pursue additional training to improve their position in the labor market.
The proposed model is based on the principle of shared responsibility. Employees would contribute to the fund through a monthly payment, with the exact contribution to be determined during the legislative process.
A notable feature of the proposal is the introduction of a loyalty bonus. Employees who have remained continuously employed for 10 or 20 years would be entitled to a one-time fixed payment from the fund they helped finance. Monte said this measure is intended not only to provide protection during unemployment, but also to recognize long-term dedication and contribution to the workforce.
The MFK parliamentarian emphasized that the proposal aims to strengthen Curaçao’s social security system without placing additional strain on public finances, as the fund would be primarily financed through private contributions.
Monte concluded that the legislation is intended to lay the foundation for a society in which no one is left without support after unexpectedly losing a job, promoting a community built on security, responsibility, and dignity.