WILLEMSTAD - In a letter to the unions representing the refinery workers, the Director of the Refineria di Korsou (RdK), Marecelino de Lannoy indicates that the Klesch Group needs more time for its due diligence. De Lannoy also says that if the group takes over the operations of the refinery next year, it will not be able to start in January 2020. 

This announcement by the RdK Director led to much concern among the Isla unions Apri and PWFC. According to them, the letter is an indication that in January 2020 there will be no work for refinery staff, employees of contractors working on the Isla site and "all others who are indirectly dependent on the refinery for their income".

The unions want to know where they stand and what the final plans of the government / RdK are. “It is known that PdVSA has submitted a request to the government of Curaçao to extend the contract for another year. This letter has not yet been answered,” says one of the union representatives. “The employees want to have a job in January 2020 to be able to provide for their families.”