WILLEMSTAD – Member of Curaçao Parliament Ishahier Monte has formally questioned Minister of Social Development, Labor and Welfare Charetti America-Francisca about the government's plans to increase the minimum wage in 2027. The parliamentarian wants to know whether the government intends to go beyond the preliminary inflation-based adjustment of just 14 cents per hour and when workers can expect a final decision.
In a letter containing nine parliamentary questions, Monte expresses concern that the country's strong economic performance has not translated into meaningful improvements in the purchasing power of low-income workers.
According to the parliamentarian, the preliminary minimum wage adjustment for 2027 amounts to only XCG 0.14 per hour. He refers to statements attributed to Minister America-Francisca in an October 26, 2026, article published by NU.cw, in which she reportedly acknowledged that the proposed adjustment would be insufficient and indicated that the government was considering a larger increase.
Monte now wants the minister to explain exactly what that would mean for workers.
The current minimum wage stands at XCG 11.93 per hour, according to the figures cited in his letter. If the government applies only the preliminary 14-cent adjustment, the hourly minimum wage would increase to XCG 12.07 in 2027.
However, the parliamentarian believes that such an increase would do little to improve the financial position of workers already struggling with the rising cost of living.
Monte has therefore asked whether the government intends to use the legal provisions of the Minimum Wage Ordinance to introduce an increase exceeding the regular annual indexation.
He also wants to know what preparatory steps have already been taken, whether any obstacles could prevent a larger adjustment, and how many additional cents the government is considering.
One of his central questions concerns the final amount workers can expect to receive.
The parliamentarian is requesting a clear timetable indicating when the government will make its decision and officially publish the new minimum wage.
Monte points out that the minimum wage increased by only XCG 0.21 per hour in 2026, equivalent to approximately 1.8 percent.
According to his letter, this was the smallest percentage increase in any year in which the minimum wage was raised since 2020.
He considers the limited adjustment particularly remarkable because Curaçao's economy expanded by 5.1 percent in 2025, following growth of 5.0 percent in 2024 and 4.3 percent in 2023.
Monte argues that workers should be able to experience some of the benefits of this sustained economic expansion.
The parliamentarian also refers to the government's stated ambition to bring the minimum wage into line with the minimum subsistence level by 2029.
He wants Minister America-Francisca to confirm whether this objective has been formally adopted as government policy.
If so, he is requesting the official decision and the implementation plan explaining how the target will be achieved.
Monte emphasizes that increasing the minimum wage beyond inflation adjustments is legally possible under the existing minimum wage legislation.
However, he wants to know whether the government is prepared to use that authority and what role Parliament could play in supporting a structural improvement.
The parliamentarian also refers to advice issued by the Social and Economic Council (SER) on December 22, 2025, concerning the minimum wage adjustment for 2026.
Although the SER issued a favorable recommendation subject to conditions, it identified limitations in the data and calculations used and recommended systematic monitoring of the effects of minimum wage increases on employment, prices, and the labor market.
Monte wants to know which of those recommendations have been implemented.
He is also asking what complementary measures the government is considering for families that would not benefit directly from an increase in the statutory minimum wage.
In his letter, Monte stresses that Parliament has a responsibility not only to scrutinize government policy but also to contribute constructively to solutions that improve residents' living standards.
He expresses hope that the minister will provide the requested answers within the period prescribed by parliamentary procedures.
For now, the central question remains unanswered: whether the government will limit the 2027 minimum wage adjustment to the preliminary 14 cents per hour or introduce a larger increase intended to provide workers with meaningful financial relief.