WILLEMSTAD - The effects of Covid 19 have now brought the world into a deep crisis. The consequences are enormous in the areas of health care and the economy. In order to tackle both crises, it is very important that everyone works together to find solutions. In addition to the initial major problems, a crisis also creates new opportunities. It is important, as noted above, that all stakeholders work together to develop the best possible solutions for the community.

Unfortunately, for the time being, the economic crisis resulting from the measures taken to curb the health crisis has not been addressed with the same vigor, cooperation and innovation. Disappointing as this crisis could certainly have catastrophic consequences for the community in the long run. In order to avert this crisis, cooperation between stakeholders, innovative thinking and decisive decision-making are therefore essential in this area.

Many companies have meanwhile been forced to discontinue their activities and are now seriously threatened in their survival. Closing companies will lead to (permanent) job losses and government revenue.

The level of prosperity and well-being of society will be unnecessarily tested as a result, while the resilience that is necessary after the initial crisis will also be lost.

The government, workers and employers must now unite to come up with innovative solutions and make bold decisions to face the growing economic crisis as much as possible. We will all have to add water to the wine to get through this, but it is important that we do it together with respect for everyone's interests.

The currently uncertain concept plans and the current attitude of SOAW (Ministry of Social Development, Labor and Welfare), which does not employ creativity and flexibility to create win-win situations to protect both companies and the associated jobs, will result in many businesses and jobs being lost.

Until now, SOAW, has not invited the employee and employer representation for an interview to hear the need and suggestions of possible solutions. It can therefore be done considerably better at this point.

The business community respects existing legislation, but stubbornly sticking to it without an “open-minded” approach in a situation caused by force majeure does not testify to creative and innovative leadership. In this way, the only solution would be that a large part of the existing companies would simply go bankrupt. That is also according to existing law. In our opinion, however, the three partners should not want to do this.

In our view, it is evident that in order to preserve as many jobs as possible, the relevant parties, being the local government, employers, employees, supported by the Dutch government, must jointly and unanimously formulate suitable solutions for the short, medium and long term. It is important that the economy and the community become more resilient to situations like this.

However, this requires innovation and structural reforms. If we do it right together, it will only result in benefits for the entire community of Curacao.

The business community is therefore calling on the Government to apply the socio-economic crisis that has arisen with the same leadership and decisiveness shown in tackling the health crisis resulting from Covid-19.

Action must also be shown here to prevent a socio-economic catastrophe for our country. Specifically, it is about taking measures to preserve as many jobs, businesses and income as possible based on solidarity for the population that no longer has any income as a result of the measures taken by the government.

Let's work together on innovative win-win solutions for the benefit of the community, employees, employers and government.

Time is running out. Employers and employees need clarification as to whether or not they will receive outside assistance and whether support measures will be taken. The longer the uncertainty lasts, the more difficult it becomes to be able to guarantee the continuity of companies. Closing will have dramatic consequences for the employment and income of both workers and government in the short, medium and long term.

As we've heard several times lately “never waste a good crisis”, let's not! We must immediately determine concrete measures that can be implemented.