WILLEMSTAD – Prime Minister Gilmar “Pik” Pisas has confirmed that the Curaçao government will not be able to pay the planned bonuses to civil servants, employees with equivalent status, and government institutions in December 2026 because the necessary documents and advice have not yet been finalized.
The announcement was made during a press conference on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, attended by Pisas and fellow ministers of the Pisas III Cabinet. The meeting was organized to provide clarity on the controversial bonus payments and address other issues affecting the country.
Pisas' government during the press conference
According to the prime minister, the government is still awaiting the documentation and advice required before it can proceed with the payments.
As a result, the additional financial compensation that eligible public-sector employees had expected to receive before the end of the year will not be distributed in December.
Pisas explained that the government continues to evaluate how the payments can be made once the necessary requirements have been addressed.
The announcement leaves uncertainty about when civil servants and other eligible employees can expect to receive the money.
The government did not announce a new payment date or provide a specific timetable for completing the outstanding procedures.
The bonus issue has become a subject of political controversy, with opposition parties questioning the government's handling of the proposed payments, particularly the inclusion of ministers and members of Parliament in the broader compensation arrangements.
The latest announcement confirms that the administrative process remains unresolved, despite the government's stated intention to provide the additional financial benefit.
For affected employees, the delay means the expected bonus will not be available during the December holiday period, when many households face additional expenses.
Ministers Address School Safety, Healthcare and Crime
Beyond the bonus controversy, the press conference provided journalists with an opportunity to question members of the Cabinet about several other pressing national issues.
Among the subjects discussed were safety in schools, the situation involving general practitioners, and crime in Curaçao.
These issues have attracted public attention because of their implications for education, healthcare services, and community safety.
The government's statement did not provide detailed information about specific decisions or new measures announced in response to these concerns.
However, the inclusion of these topics reflected the Cabinet's intention to address a broader range of national developments during its meetings with the media.
Pisas Announces Regular Government Press Conferences
During the same meeting, Pisas announced that the Pisas III Cabinet will begin organizing press conferences on a regular basis.
The prime minister said the initiative is intended to improve communication between the government and the public by providing information about national developments and the work being carried out by individual ministries.
According to Pisas, the government wants to establish a more structured approach to informing residents about decisions, ongoing projects, and issues receiving attention from the Cabinet.
The regular press conferences will also provide journalists with opportunities to ask ministers questions about government policies and developments affecting the country.
The prime minister indicated that the objective is to ensure that the population remains better informed about the steps being taken by the government.
No specific schedule for the recurring press conferences was announced.
The initiative comes at a time when the government faces questions about several major issues, including public-sector compensation, healthcare, public safety, and the implementation of government policies.
For now, the immediate concern for public-sector employees remains the delayed bonus payment. Although Pisas has reaffirmed the government's intention to continue examining ways to provide the additional compensation, employees will have to wait for further announcements before knowing when the money may become available.