Social justice advocates in Curaçao have long argued that too many people, particularly the elderly, continue to live in poverty despite years of economic growth and political promises. In this opinion piece, Erwin Raphaëla criticizes recent comments made by prominent businessman Chicú Capriles, arguing that they overlook the structural challenges faced by many Curaçaoans.
According to Raphaëla, many pensioners struggle daily with poverty, food insecurity and rising living costs. He says that numerous elderly residents are forced to borrow money simply to afford basic necessities while coping with soaring supermarket prices, housing expenses and transportation costs.
Raphaëla points out that Curaçao has repeatedly been identified as having the highest poverty rate among the countries within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Yet, he argues, society often places the responsibility for hardship on those experiencing it rather than addressing the underlying causes.
In particular, Raphaëla takes issue with Capriles' reported statement that "anyone who wants to work can find a job." He argues that this perspective ignores the fact that many jobs on the island do not provide enough income to lift workers out of poverty.
According to Raphaëla, the real issue is not simply employment but wages. He contends that Curaçao's minimum wage remains below what is necessary to meet the basic cost of living, leaving many full-time workers unable to escape poverty despite working hard.
He further argues that foreign workers often accept lower living standards, sharing apartments with several people, working extensive overtime and sending much of their earnings abroad. Raphaëla also raises concerns about the lack of adequate pension security for many workers who may spend decades in low-paying jobs without building sufficient retirement benefits.
The opinion piece also questions continued efforts to ease restrictions on hiring foreign labor while unemployment still exists among local residents. Raphaëla believes greater priority should be given to improving employment opportunities and living conditions for Curaçaoans before expanding labor migration.
While welcoming Capriles' willingness to speak publicly about labor issues, Raphaëla says the national conversation should focus less on individual responsibility and more on structural problems such as low wages, poverty and inadequate social protection.
He concludes by urging both government and the private sector to place the interests of Curaçao and its people first. According to Raphaëla, protecting local workers, providing fair wages and ensuring decent living conditions should take precedence over policies that rely heavily on importing foreign labor.
Raphaëla also warns that large-scale immigration carries broader social consequences, including pressure on culture, language, public safety and the economy. He argues that unless policymakers place greater emphasis on supporting local residents, more young Curaçaoans will continue to leave the island in search of better opportunities abroad.
By Erwin Raphaëla
Journalist and Columnist
Note: This article is based on an opinion piece by Erwin Raphaëla. The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Curaçao Chronicle.