‘I have an enormous appreciation and admiration for all public, and semi-public sector employees who, during two years, have sacrificed part of their income’, Prime Minister Evelyn Wever-Croes expressed. Besides this and in respecting the rights of the workers who receive their salary and have the right to manifest, there are also conditions set by The Netherlands on Aruba. Conditions which make it impossible for the government to return the 12.6%. The topic will be discussed this Friday during the Kingdom’s Council of Ministers after a petition from Aruba to hold the meeting.
COUNCIL OF THE KINGDOM’S MINISTERS THIS FRIDAY
Prime Minister Wever-Croes explained that Aruba has asked the Netherlands for this year, 2022, to stop the 12.6% cut and give workers 100% of their salary back. The petition is on the agenda for this Friday.
For this reason, the government’s mediator has asked unions on Monday to not take any action this week and to wait for this Friday to see what is said during the council. Despite this news, the unions still decided to take action this week, which the government respects, according to the Prime Minister.
The government in its turn will wait until this Friday’s meeting to plan the next steps. If The Netherlands says that the cuts can stop, then it is done. But if they say no, this decision will be appealed. The other option is that the Netherlands can mention an ‘in-between’ solution, to which a more concrete answer will be asked. If The Netherlands says that it is not possible, their decision will be accepted due to the fact that Aruba is dependent on their financial help for the coming 6 months (according to projections). In those projections, Omicron was not taken into account which had its effects on Aruba and resulted in an income loss of 20-25% less than what was expected in the month of January.
DUTCH FINANCING IS NECESSARY TO PAY PUBLIC EMPLOYEES
Premier Wever-Croes reacted to some of the expressions made amongst the community such as: ‘Don’t worry about The Netherlands, just pay public employees’
The answer to this was that it is impossible because there is no money. The Netherlands has to give Aruba financial support to pay public employees their salary. Thus, it cannot be said that they do not comply with the conditions set because it affects the possibility of paying police salaries, healthcare workers, and educators amongst others.
Finalizing her statement, the Prime Minister emphasized her awareness of this difficult situation and that everyone is tired. This is our current situation because of the conditions set by The Netherlands, but efforts to find other solutions will continue.
“We understand all public employees including those in education whose extraordinary efforts are recognized. Not only giving classes, but attending to children’s social and family issues, which deserves enormous respect. The rights of teachers are sacred and we respect that.”
