WILLEMSTAD – Opposition parliamentarian Sheldry Osepa (PNP) is demanding answers from the Ministers of Finance and Social Development, Labor and Welfare (SOAW) over the government’s delayed 100-guilder monthly support payments for low-income workers.
In a series of parliamentary questions submitted under Article 96 of Parliament’s Rules of Order and Article 57 of Curaçao’s Constitution, Osepa said growing frustration is spreading across the island as fuel prices continue to rise while many workers have yet to receive the additional financial support promised by the government.
According to Osepa, gasoline and diesel prices have increased sharply since February, placing severe pressure on household budgets.
He stated that gasoline prices have risen by 55 cents over the past two months, while diesel prices have increased by nearly one guilder.
“Hopi trahadó ta ripará ku nan ta kobra i par di dia despues tur sèn a bai na gasolin i kos di kome,” Osepa wrote, arguing that many workers see their salaries disappear almost immediately on fuel and food expenses.
The parliamentarian accused the government of failing to deliver on promises made by the administration of Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas to provide an extra 100 guilders per month to workers earning less than 30,000 guilders annually, or below 2,500 guilders monthly.
According to Osepa, workers contact him daily asking what happened to the promised payments.
He also criticized the government for collecting higher turnover tax revenues while citizens struggle with rising living costs.
“Loke ta mas doloroso ta mientras pueblo ta paga tur kos karu, gobièrnu si ta kobra mas omzetbelasting,” he stated.
Among the questions submitted to the ministers are how many workers qualify for the payment, how many have already received it, how the funds are being distributed, and whether the government can guarantee that all eligible workers will receive the support soon.
Osepa also questioned whether inflation has effectively erased much of the value of the promised support before it even reached citizens.