WILLEMSTAD – The Ombudsman of Curaçao has called on the Minister of Social Development, Labor and Welfare (SOAW) to respond to long-standing recommendations on poverty reduction that have remained unanswered for more than two years.
In a letter dated March 12, the Ombudsman expressed concern over the lack of response from the government, despite the urgency of the issue. The recommendations were originally presented in December 2022 following a Kingdom conference on poverty held at the University of Curaçao.
According to the Ombudsman, the proposals were intended to provide a structural approach to addressing poverty, which continues to affect a significant portion of the island’s population. However, no formal reaction or implementation has followed.
The Ombudsman stressed that poverty is not only a socio-economic challenge but also a human rights issue. In his role as an independent watchdog for good governance and the protection of citizens, he emphasized that the government has a responsibility to actively address the problem.
The recommendations outlined in 2022 include the establishment of a free legal aid desk to help residents understand and defend their rights. Other proposals focus on strengthening the social safety net, particularly in the area of debt assistance, improving education and language skills to enhance employment opportunities, and providing better care for elderly and vulnerable groups.
According to the Ombudsman, these are not optional suggestions but necessary measures to prevent people from becoming structurally excluded from society. The continued lack of response from the government is therefore seen as particularly troubling.
The issue is further highlighted by developments elsewhere in the Kingdom. In the Caribbean Netherlands (BES islands), similar initiatives have already led to concrete results, including the establishment of legal aid services focused on equal treatment and access to justice.
The Ombudsman has now explicitly requested clarity from the minister on the status of the recommendations and what steps the government intends to take. The letter was also sent to the Parliament of Curaçao, placing the issue firmly on the political agenda.