WILLEMSTAD – Opposition party MAN-PIN is calling on the Curaçao government to develop a national wage policy to ensure that employees in the private sector benefit from the island's economic growth. Member of Parliament Suzanne Camelia-Römer argues that despite five years of economic expansion, many workers have seen little improvement in their purchasing power.
Camelia-Römer has submitted written parliamentary questions to Minister of Social Development, Labor and Welfare Charetti America-Francisca, challenging the government's approach to wage development and the growing disparity between public and private sector employees.
According to the parliamentarian, Curaçao's economy has experienced considerable growth, with strong hotel occupancy, expanding tourism activities, and continued construction of apartment complexes and commercial properties. However, she argues that this economic progress has not translated into meaningful salary increases for many employees.
Workers in hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, and other private businesses often remain on the statutory minimum wage for years, regardless of their experience, additional qualifications, or job performance.
Camelia-Römer believes this situation is increasingly difficult to justify, particularly when businesses have benefited from several years of economic growth.
She questions the argument frequently presented by employers that there is insufficient financial capacity to introduce structural salary increases.
Growing Gap Between Government and Private Sector Employees
MAN-PIN is particularly concerned about the differences in salary development between civil servants and private sector workers.
According to the opposition party, government employees receive annual salary adjustments and will also benefit from a thirteenth-month payment this year.
Camelia-Römer emphasizes that civil servants deserve these improvements but argues that the government should not limit its efforts to protect purchasing power to its own workforce.
Private sector employees face the same rising costs of living, including higher prices for groceries, electricity, water, fuel, and housing.
For workers earning minimum or moderate wages, these expenses can consume an increasingly large share of their monthly income.
The parliamentarian warns that without meaningful wage growth, employees may continue to lose purchasing power even while the overall economy expands.
She also highlights the financial difficulties facing many pensioners, who, according to MAN-PIN, receive incomes below a socially acceptable minimum standard of living.
As a result, some older residents depend on financial assistance from working relatives, placing additional pressure on households already struggling with everyday expenses.
Call for a National Wage Policy
Camelia-Römer wants the government to explain whether Curaçao currently has a comprehensive policy addressing wage development beyond the annual adjustment of the statutory minimum wage.
If such a framework does not exist, she wants Minister America-Francisca to indicate whether the government is prepared to develop one.
The parliamentarian argues that economic growth should be reflected not only in business expansion and investment figures but also in the financial well-being of employees.
Her proposal would involve creating a structured approach to salary development that considers economic performance, living costs, and the need for fair compensation.
The objective is to ensure that workers have opportunities to earn higher salaries as they gain experience, improve their qualifications, and contribute to their employers' success.
Camelia-Römer is seeking a government response on how Curaçao intends to achieve a more balanced distribution of the benefits of economic growth.
The Ministry of Social Development, Labor and Welfare has not yet provided a response to the parliamentary questions in the information made available.