WILLEMSTAD – A proposal by ruling party Movementu Futuro Kòrsou (MFK) to stimulate youth employment through tax and social premium exemptions continues to face legal obstacles after renewed criticism from the Raad van Advies.
The initiative draft law aims to encourage companies on Curaçao to hire young people and young professionals by reducing wage-related costs for employers.
Supporters of the proposal argue that lowering employment costs could help improve labor market participation among younger generations and create more opportunities for recent graduates entering the workforce.
But according to the Council of Advice, the latest revised version of the law still lacks sufficient legal clarity and technical quality.
The Council stated that important questions remain unanswered regarding the operation, implementation, and expected effects of the scheme.
The advisory body also warned that several provisions remain insufficiently developed and that parts of the legal justification are still unclear.
The criticism is significant because the Council of Advice plays an important constitutional role in reviewing legislation before it moves further through the parliamentary process.
Earlier versions of the bill had already drawn criticism over possible discriminatory effects and concerns about whether the incentives could be implemented fairly and effectively.
The latest opinion suggests that lawmakers have not fully resolved those earlier objections despite making several revisions to the proposal.
The discussion comes at a time when youth employment and economic opportunity remain important political themes on the island, particularly as Curaçao continues to deal with labor market challenges, rising living costs, and concerns about brain drain among young professionals.
The proposal is expected to remain part of broader political debates surrounding economic diversification, employment policy, and incentives for private sector growth.