WILLEMSTAD - The Social Economic Council (SER) has expressed strong criticism of the proposed legislation aimed at relaxing the welfare system in Curaçao. According to the SER, the proposal lacks coherence, which may prevent the suggested changes from achieving the desired effect. This is outlined in a report that the SER sent to the Curaçao Parliament on August 22.
The bill, submitted by members of the MFK faction, aims to ease the conditions for welfare assistance and strengthen the legal status of welfare applicants. For instance, welfare recipients would be allowed to earn up to 500 guilders per month without losing their benefits. Additionally, the government would be required to tighten decision-making timelines, automatically granting benefits if the government fails to make timely decisions.
However, the SER remains critical, pointing out that the proposal does not adequately align with the broader socio-economic goals of Curaçao. There is no clear plan to link the changes to strategies for poverty reduction, job growth, or social integration. Furthermore, the SER notes the absence of a holistic approach that includes support through education and job placement services.
The council emphasizes that self-sufficiency is crucial for the personal dignity of welfare recipients and for the financial sustainability of the system. The proposal could disrupt this balance, as easing conditions may lead to prolonged dependency on assistance. Additionally, the SER fears that the proposed measures may lack sufficient control mechanisms, increasing the risk of abuse.
Legally, the SER raises concerns as well. There is a lack of detailed financial justification for the proposed changes, and risks are identified in introducing automatic benefit grants when the government does not decide in a timely manner. According to the SER, this could lead to uncontrollable financial obligations for the government.
The SER calls on the proponents of the bill to better align their plans with broader strategic objectives and to incorporate careful evaluation and control mechanisms. Otherwise, the council fears that the proposed legislation will seriously undermine the integrity and effectiveness of the welfare system.