WILLEMSTAD – Former Member of Parliament and current advisor to the opposition PAR parliamentary faction, Ana Maria Pauletta, has sharply criticized Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas over his remarks that he worked hard and deserved a bonus, arguing that such statements are unacceptable at a time when many families in Curaçao are struggling with the rising cost of living.
In a strongly worded public statement, Pauletta accused the prime minister of failing to recognize the financial difficulties facing ordinary citizens and urged him to accept the public rejection of the bonus.
Ana Maria Pauletta
"How much does it cost to admit that you are wrong?" Pauletta asked, directly challenging the prime minister's position.
According to Pauletta, Pisas publicly defended his entitlement to a bonus by emphasizing how hard he had worked. However, she argued that the prime minister's reasoning fails to address the economic pressures experienced by the population.
"Prime Minister Pisas came out and said that he worked hard and deserved a bonus. The entire population of Curaçao rejected this," Pauletta stated.
Rising Living Costs at the Center of Criticism
Pauletta linked the controversy to the financial challenges confronting households across Curaçao, particularly the increasing cost of groceries, fuel, and other essential expenses.
She questioned how government ministers could defend receiving additional financial compensation while ordinary residents struggle to cover their monthly bills.
"How can a minister receive a bonus while the people of Curaçao cannot enter a supermarket without getting a headache?" she asked.
Her remarks reflect her criticism of the contrast between additional compensation for political officeholders and the economic difficulties she says many citizens are experiencing.
Pauletta also pointed to rising fuel prices as another source of pressure on household budgets.
"Prices at the pump continue to rise, and everyone is finding it increasingly difficult to make their salary last until the end of the month," she said.
According to the former parliamentarian, the government should recognize these concerns rather than continue defending a bonus that she says has already been rejected by the public.
Pauletta Questions Government's Priorities
The PAR advisor also questioned the justification for granting additional compensation to political leaders while residents face financial uncertainty.
She challenged the prime minister to explain why he should receive a bonus when many workers and families are struggling to meet their basic needs.
"Where did that idea come from, that you should receive a bonus?" Pauletta asked.
Her criticism focuses on what she considers a disconnect between the government's position and the everyday experiences of the population.
Pauletta did not present a detailed alternative compensation proposal in her statement. Instead, she concentrated on urging the prime minister to acknowledge the criticism and move forward.
Call to Accept Public Rejection
Pauletta concluded her statement with a direct message to Pisas, urging him to stop defending the bonus and accept what she described as the clear position of the population.
"Accept it and move on. Curaçao has rejected the bonus!" she declared.
Her statement adds to the political criticism surrounding additional compensation for government officials and highlights the opposition's concerns about the priorities of the administration amid ongoing cost-of-living pressures.
The statement did not specify the amount of the bonus or provide details about the compensation arrangement to which Pauletta was referring.
Nevertheless, her message was clear: political leaders should recognize the financial difficulties facing residents and take public criticism seriously rather than justify additional personal compensation.