WILLEMSTAD – Curaçao’s Minister of Social Development, Labor and Welfare Charetti America has pledged to continue structured dialogue with trade unions, saying the government remains committed to working with labor organizations and the private sector to address workers’ concerns and build a stronger labor market.
The commitment was made during the island’s Labour Day observance, where labor issues, poverty and worker dignity took center stage.
The day began with a Holy Mass at the Santa Familia Parish, where reflection and social dialogue formed the foundation of the gathering.
Minister America (second from left) during the church service
During the service, Pastor Curtis Meris delivered a message directed especially at young people, encouraging them not simply to choose a job, but to pursue a calling connected to purpose and meaning in life.
In her address, Minister America stressed the central role of workers in Curaçao’s social and economic development.
She described labor as the foundation of the country’s progress, stating that without the daily commitment of workers, there would be no economy, no healthcare system and no advancement for the island.
The minister also addressed the issue of poverty, acknowledging that it remains a serious reality for many families on Curaçao.
However, she emphasized that long-term solutions cannot rely solely on social assistance.
According to America, real poverty reduction must tackle the root causes by creating opportunities through education, access to work and economic participation.
She strongly highlighted labor as a tool for transformation.
Work, she said, is not merely a way to earn an income, but a path to independence, self-worth and the ability to care for one’s family.
In that sense, dignified employment restores human dignity and strengthens society as a whole.
America also noted that poverty is not only material.
It can also have a mental and emotional dimension, where individuals lose confidence in themselves and their future.
In that context, meaningful work becomes a powerful instrument to move people from dependency toward purpose and social contribution.
During the event, union leaders including Frensley Sillé and Adrie Williams voiced their concerns and perspectives regarding the position of workers and the challenges facing labor on the island.
The minister said she listened carefully to those concerns and reaffirmed her commitment to maintaining structural dialogue.
America announced that the tripartite consultation process between government, labor unions and the Vereniging Bedrijfsleven Curaçao (VBC) will continue.
She said both she and Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas are personally involved in guiding that process to ensure it remains productive and structured.
According to the minister, important steps have already been taken in recent months to shape that dialogue, and a new meeting is planned later this month to address the issues raised by unions.
Her message, she said, is simple: the government believes in solutions, and those solutions can only be reached together.
The renewed commitment to dialogue comes at a critical time, as workers continue to face rising living costs, inflationary pressure and growing concerns over wages and job security.
For labor organizations, the continuation of tripartite talks could prove crucial in shaping future labor policies and economic protections for workers across Curaçao.