WILLEMSTAD – Opposition party MAN-PIN says Curaçao effectively lacks a coherent poverty policy and has demanded answers from the Minister of Social Development, Labor and Welfare over what it describes as years of inaction.
The criticism follows a recent reminder letter from the Ombudsman, which states that the government has yet to formally respond to recommendations issued in 2022 on poverty reduction. According to the Ombudsman, key structural measures—such as strengthening the social safety net and improving debt assistance—have still not been implemented.
MAN-PIN describes the current socio-economic situation on the island as concerning, noting that a significant portion of the population lives in poverty or is at risk of falling into it. At the same time, the cost of living continues to rise, driven in part by higher energy prices and global economic developments that are also affecting Curaçao.
The party points out that Curaçao’s heavy reliance on imports makes it particularly vulnerable to price increases. Low-income households and the elderly are especially affected, and without intervention, poverty levels are likely to worsen, MAN-PIN warns.
In a series of written questions, the party is asking the minister to explain why no response has been issued to the Ombudsman’s recommendations and what concrete measures have been taken since 2022.
MAN-PIN is also requesting updated poverty statistics, an assessment of the impact of inflation, and details on plans to protect purchasing power. Additional questions focus on whether the current social minimum still reflects the actual cost of living and whether the government is prepared to increase benefits or subsidies.
The party is further seeking a clear timeline for when additional measures will be introduced, as pressure mounts on the government to address what is increasingly seen as a growing social and economic challenge.