Early this morning, teachers from Colegio Arubano San Nicolaas and SIMAR’s board wore black as a protest against noncompliance of payment.
SIMAR recently spoke to Prime Minister Evelyn Wever-Croes, who promised them their payments. Nevertheless, two weeks later, and there is still no clarity on the situation. “The uncertainty remains,” explained Josephine Albertus, president of SIMAR, to the press.
This situation did not escalate from one day to another. This problem started on October 21st when the teachers decided to approach SIMAR. After that meeting, they went to the Government to express their concerns. They first received a letter on October 27th, stating that they will receive their payments. Then they were going to get paid on November 2nd, but up until today, still nothing.
To their surprise, some teachers received 25% of the payment, others 75%, but few didn’t receive anything. The teachers have no clue what was paid to them because they didn’t get a payslip, indicating how many work hours got paid.
SIMAR met with the members of the Management Team, who explained that they have complied with everything by sending all necessary information. SIMAR then concluded that the issue is with DPS ( Director of Public Schools). The Management Team wants to meet with the teachers tomorrow because there is no urgency to comply with the payments, according to them. “Until when must the teachers continue working with a lack of clarity about their working hours?’ Josephine asked.
