WILLEMSTAD - Teachers’ union DOEN has confirmed that its legal challenge against the government over the delayed salary step for education workers will move forward on December 8, when the case is scheduled for a procedural hearing (rolzitting). The union hopes the government will finally submit its formal defense instead of requesting further postponements.
DOEN filed the lawsuit on November 5, following months of unsuccessful negotiations with the Pisas III Cabinet. The union maintains that it is unjust for education personnel to be the only group of civil servants who did not receive their August 2024 salary step, despite repeated requests for clarification.
In a press release, the union expressed frustration with the prolonged delay:
“The cabinet has been aware of our request since December 2024. Now, one year later, education workers are still waiting for clarity on the salary step they were entitled to in August 2024.”
According to DOEN, the Pisas III government received the request in writing in April 2025, and Minister Kimberly Lew-Jen-Tai confirmed during an October 13 meeting that the matter had already been reviewed by government lawyers three times.
Despite this, no decision has been communicated, and only last week did the government receive the formal petition.
DOEN urges the government not to further delay the process:
“We hope the Pisas III Cabinet will not again choose postponement tactics and continue to keep education workers in uncertainty.”
The union says it will continue to push for equal treatment of education personnel and expects the December 8 hearing to mark a turning point in resolving the dispute.