WILLEMSTAD - On Tuesday, the teachers’ union Doen held discussions with Ministers Sithree "Cey" van Heydoorn (Education, Science, Culture, and Sport) and Shalten Hato (Government, Planning, and Service) to address the ongoing impact of the 12.5% salary reduction in the education sector. This cut, implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic as a condition for financial support from the Netherlands to Curaçao, continues to affect teachers' employment terms. 

During the meeting, both sides discussed steps to improve the financial standing of education personnel. The union Doen is pushing for the reversal of these cuts as much as possible, citing the ongoing challenges faced by teachers due to these reductions. 

Last week, unions and the government reached an agreement to partially offset the salary cuts. Civil servants will receive salary increases from January 2024, adjusted for October 2023 inflation rates. Additionally, employees will receive a one-time compensation for missed wage increments dating back to 2020. In 2025, school boards are also set to receive an additional financial allocation of 6.2 million guilders, intended to further support the education sector. 

This meeting represents a continuation of efforts by Doen to advocate for the financial welfare of teachers, aiming for a return to pre-pandemic conditions.