WILLEMSTAD – Just days before the observance of Labor Day, the leadership of Curaçao’s largest trade union federation, the Central General di Trahadonan di Corsow (CGTC), paid a working visit to the Governor of Curaçao, Mauritsz de Kort, to discuss key labor and social issues affecting workers on the island.
The meeting took place on Wednesday, April 29, at a time when labor conditions, rising living costs and workforce sustainability remain central concerns for many employees in Curaçao.
The CGTC delegation was led by Pablo Zimmerman and included Kenneth Valpoort, Veronica Legrand, Adrie Williams, Wendy Calmes, Lionela Elsevijf, Gregory Wilson, Judesca Martina and George Hernandez.
During the discussions, the union federation raised the need for stronger tripartite dialogue between government, employers and labor unions — a model encouraged under international labor standards established by the International Labour Organization (ILO).
Tripartite consultation is seen as a key mechanism for addressing labor disputes, improving working conditions and shaping sustainable labor policy.
The delegation also discussed several pressing issues currently affecting workers on the island, including the aging workforce, rising living expenses and the long-term impact of inflation on household budgets.
The conversation comes at a particularly sensitive moment, following recent fuel price increases and growing concerns over Curaçao’s cost of living.
Union representatives emphasized that workers are increasingly feeling financial pressure, even those with stable employment.
Another topic raised was the challenge of union membership itself.
Labor leaders pointed to difficulties in maintaining and growing union participation, while stressing that strong labor organizations remain essential for protecting workers’ rights and maintaining balance in the labor market.
Governor De Kort welcomed the visit and expressed appreciation for the role trade unions continue to play in defending the interests of workers and promoting labor stability on the island.
The meeting ahead of Labor Day reflects the ongoing importance of organized labor in Curaçao, particularly at a time when economic pressures are reshaping the relationship between wages, living costs and worker security.
As labor organizations prepare to mark May 1, the issues discussed during the meeting underscore the challenges many workers continue to face — and the growing call for broader cooperation between government, employers and unions to address them.