GEORGETOWN, WILLEMSTAD – The treaty governing Curaçao's associate membership in the Caribbean Community includes a provision requiring that eligible residents of Curaçao be allowed to apply for vacancies at the CARICOM Secretariat.
The employment provision is among the conditions described in the explanatory memorandum accompanying the agreement between the Kingdom of the Netherlands, on behalf of Curaçao, and CARICOM.
Under Article I of the treaty, Curaçao must guarantee that nationals of the Kingdom of the Netherlands who are registered in Curaçao's population register have the right to apply for vacancies within the CARICOM Secretariat.
The provision creates a formal employment opportunity connected to the island's participation in the regional organization.
Eligibility Does Not Guarantee Employment
The treaty establishes the right to apply for positions, but it does not guarantee employment or preferential treatment in recruitment procedures.
Applicants would still have to satisfy the qualifications and other requirements associated with individual vacancies.
The memorandum does not identify specific positions, announce a recruitment campaign or indicate how many residents of Curaçao could eventually obtain employment through this provision.
Nevertheless, access to the Secretariat's recruitment procedures could be relevant for professionals interested in regional administration, economic development, public policy and international cooperation.
The CARICOM Secretariat is headquartered in Georgetown, Guyana, and also maintains a presence in Barbados and Jamaica.
It supports the organization's work across a wide range of regional policy areas.
Greater Involvement in Caribbean Institutions
The employment provision forms part of a broader agreement intended to strengthen Curaçao's participation in Caribbean institutions.
Besides the right to apply for Secretariat vacancies, Curaçao will have access to official CARICOM information, Secretariat services and technical cooperation forums.
The government also intends to appoint personnel and representatives responsible for maintaining regular contact with CARICOM institutions.
These appointments would be part of Curaçao's own administrative arrangements and are separate from employment within the CARICOM Secretariat.
The memorandum does not specify whether any Curaçao residents have already applied for or obtained positions under the treaty provision.
The agreement nevertheless establishes a potential new avenue for eligible residents seeking professional opportunities within a regional institution.