Union threatens to take the matter to international bodies after a month of silence from local authorities

WILLEMSTAD - The Curaçao Police Union SAP has issued a strong warning over what it describes as the growing disrespect and mistreatment of government employees on the island. The union says it is prepared to escalate the matter internationally, after both the government and Parliament failed to respond to repeated letters of concern.

SAP first raised the issue on September 1, expressing deep concern about the treatment of senior civil servants and management-level staff within various departments. A follow-up letter sent on September 22, containing specific questions and requests for dialogue, has gone unanswered for over a month.

Only the Governor Responded

According to the union, Governor Lucille George-Wout was the only official to acknowledge receipt of the correspondence, forwarding the matter to the Minister of Justice. The union described the silence from other government bodies as “unacceptable.”

Minister Middelhof Singled Out

In its latest statement, SAP specifically mentioned Minister of Economic Development Roderick Middelhof (MFK), accusing him of exhibiting a “disrespectful attitude” toward public servants. The union says his tone and conduct violate basic principles of good governance and human dignity.

SAP argues that the problem goes far beyond isolated incidents and reflects a broader culture of political intimidation and abuse of power within the public sector.

“This is an alarm phase that must not be ignored,” the union wrote.

Ultimatum to the Government

SAP has issued an ultimatum demanding that the government publicly respond to its September 22 letter. If no action is taken, the union says it will begin documenting and disclosing cases of mistreatment, both domestically and internationally.

“The government workforce serves this country every day,” the union’s board stated. “Protecting their legal rights is not a privilege — it is a duty of the authorities. Silence is not an option.”

The confrontation marks a new low in the relationship between the union and government officials, with SAP warning that continued inaction could damage Curaçao’s international reputation regarding labor rights and public administration ethics.