WILLEMSTAD – Teachers’ union DOEN is placing the issue of unequal treatment at the center of its legal battle with the government over unpaid salary increments for education workers.
According to the union, the dispute is not only about wages, but also about fairness within the public sector. DOEN argues that while some civil servants receive a salary step increase after six months, education personnel were required to wait up to 19 months for a similar adjustment.
The union considers this discrepancy unjust and has raised it as a key argument in the ongoing court case, in which a ruling is expected on May 4, 2026.
DOEN further claims that the government is avoiding responsibility by referring to agreements made with unions in broader consultation structures, rather than applying the law consistently across all sectors.
The case has resonated among teachers and union members, many of whom attended the court hearing to show their support. The union emphasized that the presence of its members reflects wider frustration within the education sector.
The issue comes at a time when broader concerns about working conditions, compensation, and recognition for educators are increasingly being discussed in Curaçao.
DOEN maintains that the case is about ensuring equal rights and treatment for all public sector employees, particularly those working in education.