WILLEMSTAD – One of the most striking findings in a new government integrity assessment is the apparent weakness of the "speak-up culture" within several ministries.
The baseline scan, conducted by the statutory internal auditor of the Governments of Curaçao and Sint Maarten (SOAB), examined whether employees feel safe expressing concerns, raising criticism, or reporting potential integrity violations. Researchers identified "speak culture" as one of the key indicators of a healthy integrity environment.
According to the report, employees in multiple ministries indicated that criticism and concerns are not always openly discussed and that feedback is not consistently visible after concerns are raised. The findings suggest that many workers are uncertain whether raising issues will lead to meaningful action.
The study specifically measured whether employees feel free to voice concerns, whether criticism is accepted in practice, whether staff feel safe reporting suspected misconduct, and whether integrity issues are openly discussed.
Researchers warn that weak speak-up cultures can create a chain reaction. If employees do not feel comfortable reporting concerns, problems may remain hidden, accountability can weaken, and confidence in leadership may decline.
The report repeatedly refers to "ripple effects," describing how one weakness can trigger several others. In ministries where criticism is not openly discussed, integrity concerns may never reach management. When complaints are not visibly addressed, confidence in reporting systems may deteriorate further.
The findings suggest that strengthening integrity will require more than additional rules. Officials may also need to foster an environment where employees feel safe challenging decisions, reporting misconduct, and participating in discussions about ethical dilemmas.