WILLEMSTAD — The Central Commission of Trade Unions and its affiliated unions are demanding full transparency from the government regarding irregularities in payments made to civil servants in December. 

The unions are requesting detailed information on all disbursements related to overdue wages and the 3 percent lump sum covering the period from 2016 to 2024. In addition, they are asking for copies of the official documents used by the Council of Ministers in their decision-making process. 

An internal government memo has revealed errors in at least 5 percent of cases, where employees were either overpaid or underpaid. While the government intends to recover any excess payments, it has not clarified how it will compensate workers who were underpaid. 

The unions are also demanding transparency regarding the criteria and calculations used in the payment process and are warning of the potential consequences for their members if the issue is not resolved fairly. 

Union leaders stress that restoring trust requires the government to be fully open and to correct any discrepancies promptly and justly.