WILLEMSTAD – Some internal problems at Curaçao’s Ministry of Social Development, Labor and Welfare (SOAW) have remained unresolved for years and, in certain cases, for as long as 16 years, according to Minister Charetti America-Francisca.
The minister disclosed the longstanding issues while discussing efforts to improve the functioning of SOAW, saying that better public service requires the ministry to address not only complaints from residents but also problems affecting its own employees.
America-Francisca said attention will be given to workers who feel demotivated or who are experiencing difficulties in carrying out their duties.
“An organization that wants to serve the people well must also care for, listen to and strengthen the people who have to provide that service,” the minister said.
According to America-Francisca, there are internal situations that have remained without a solution for many years. Some cases have reportedly been unresolved for as long as 16 years. She did not provide details about the nature of those cases, the number of employees involved or why they had remained unresolved for so long.
The issues were discussed during a periodic meeting involving the minister, SOAW’s Secretary-General, sector directors and department heads.
The minister said improvements within SOAW must therefore take place on two fronts. The ministry wants to respond more effectively to complaints and signals coming from the community while simultaneously improving conditions within the organization itself.
America-Francisca emphasized that motivated employees and an effective internal organization are essential if SOAW is expected to improve the quality of its services.
The ministry is now giving the longstanding internal cases what America-Francisca described as the necessary attention. However, no timeline was provided for resolving the cases.
The minister said the broader goal is for SOAW to become an organization that listens, responds to problems and continuously improves the services it provides to Curaçao’s population.