WILLEMSTAD - Edward St. Jacobs, chairman of the umbrella organization of trade unions in Curacao, SSK, is very happy with the position of the Chamber of Commerce. That organization announced on Monday that they agree to an increase in the minimum wage by more than 11 percent.
According to St. Jacobs, the unions have been campaigning for an increase in the minimum wage for years. The Chamber has always been against it, but has now changed its mind. That means that the government, trade unions and the private sector are all in favor of an increase.
According to the unions, a higher minimum wage means more spending on the island; and that's good for the economy. Minister of Social Development, Labor and Welfare Ruthmilda Larmonie-Cecilia will work in the coming weeks to introduce the increase as of January 1, 2023.