WILLEMSTAD – Members of the Curaçao Police Union (NAPB) gathered Tuesday morning for an information session on the Bion Law, as concerns continue to grow within the police force over its implementation and whether officers qualify for its tax benefits.
The meeting, held at the union's headquarters, gave members an opportunity to discuss the legislation and receive clarification on how it applies to police officers.
MFK Member of Parliament Javier Silvania attended the session, where he listened to the concerns of union members and explained the provisions of the law.
Silvania at the meeting
The Bion Law, which was approved by Parliament in March 2025, was introduced to encourage employment and make overtime work more financially rewarding. Under certain conditions, the law exempts eligible workers from paying wage tax and social security contributions on up to 40 hours of overtime per month. The tax relief applies to employees whose annual gross income falls below a legally established threshold and covers both public and private sector workers.
However, the law's implementation has sparked controversy within the police force. Many officers say they were led to believe they would also benefit from the overtime tax exemption but later learned that the Ministry of Governance, Planning and Public Service (BPD) considers the law inapplicable to police personnel.
Silvania has become one of the strongest advocates for resolving the issue. Earlier this week, he submitted parliamentary questions to the Ministers of Finance and Justice, arguing that there are legal mechanisms available to extend the overtime tax exemption to police officers. He has proposed either using the hardship clause contained in the law or introducing a policy directive while legislative amendments are prepared.
The former Minister of Finance has also warned that frustration within the police force continues to grow and has urged the government to reach a solution as soon as possible.
Tuesday's meeting formed part of the ongoing dialogue between the police union, lawmakers and the government as discussions continue over the implementation of the Bion Law and its impact on law enforcement personnel.