WILLEMSTAD - There is unrest among Curaçaoan civil servants. The unions representing them are demanding that the government reverse the law that cut their employment conditions by 12.5 percent, with retroactive effect from January 1, 2023, while the Pisas cabinet proposes doing so only from January 1, 2024. 

The unions ABVO, Sitek, STrAF, NAPB, and SAP have scheduled several meetings this week to update their members on the latest developments. 

The unions' demand is based on earlier correspondence with the government, including letters dated May 17 and June 17, 2024, which went unanswered. They are also concerned about other issues, such as the payment of salary increments or lump sums for 2018 and 2019, and the revision of the pension law. The cabinet has since promised that experts from the pension fund APC will provide explanations regarding pension indexation. 

Union ABVO is informing its members today about the 12.5 percent law. The core of the dispute revolves around the starting date of the repeal. According to the government, the repeal would take effect in 2024, but the unions want to stick to the original agreement, dating back to January 2023. This would mean that civil servants and retirees would also receive salary and pension indexation for 2023. 

Retirees are also facing uncertainty. If the law is not repealed until 2024, they will not receive pension indexation for 2023, as civil servants did not receive salary indexation that year. Pension indexation is dependent on the fund’s coverage ratio in 2022, which, according to APC experts, was insufficient to allow for indexation in 2023. 

Pisas Cabinet Responds to Union Demands 

The Pisas cabinet has responded to the unions' demands, emphasizing their openness to dialogue. Prime Minister Gilmar 'Pik' Pisas stated that during the last meeting with the CGOA platform, which represents the unions, the government was willing to negotiate until midnight. However, the unions left the negotiation table without further discussions. 

“It’s at the negotiation table where we can find a solution,” said Pisas. He reiterated that the government respects the autonomy of the unions but stressed the importance of calm and a rational approach. The cabinet is calling on the unions to return to the negotiation table to find a joint solution for civil servants. 

The unions have expressed their intent to continue with their actions and are meeting with their members again today. A joint meeting of the five unions is scheduled for Thursday, September 19.