WILLEMSTAD – The Parliament of Curaçao unanimously approved a motion on Thursday endorsing the legislative proposal “National Ordinance on Youth Minimum Wage 2025”, effectively eliminating wage disparities between young adult workers and older employees. 

The motion, introduced by the MAN-PIN faction, aims to abolish the current difference in minimum wage between workers aged 18 to 20 and those aged 21 and older. At present, the minimum wage for 18-, 19-, and 20-year-olds is lower than that of workers aged 21 and above. With the adoption of this motion, all adults aged 18 and up will now receive the same minimum wage, marking a significant step toward wage equality. 

Adjustment for Younger Workers 

However, this adjustment also widens the wage gap between minors and adults. In response, the motion recommends that the government increase the minimum wage for 16- and 17-year-olds to 75% of the adult minimum wage, up from the current 65%. 

Despite the proposed increase, Parliament emphasized in the motion that a distinction between youth and adult minimum wages should remain, as it serves to motivate minors to stay in school and complete their education. 

The measure is expected to benefit young workers entering the labor market while also prompting a broader discussion on youth employment and educational incentives.