Prime Minister Mike Eman met with Henri Bontenbal, leader of the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA) party and its parliamentary group in the Dutch House of Representatives, in The Hague to discuss economic growth, the minimum wage and the importance of ensuring that prosperity benefits all citizens.
Bontenbal said he shares Eman’s view that economic growth must go hand in hand with social well-being. He specifically highlighted Eman’s efforts to increase Aruba’s minimum wage, stressing that economic progress should be measured not only by positive figures but also by improvements in people’s quality of life and financial security.
This vision reflects the concept of the common good, which emphasizes that economic prosperity should benefit society as a whole. Eman said achieving this requires more than fair wages. He also called on the business community to contribute to the well-being of society and demonstrate a willingness to share the prosperity generated by economic growth.
Eman expressed concern about the growing concentration of wealth in the hands of a small group while large sections of the population are left behind. He said political leaders have a responsibility to address this imbalance, adding that democracy and the rule of law are strengthened when citizens feel that their interests and well-being are taken seriously by those in government.
The prime minister also referred to the political situation in France, which the Netherlands is following with concern. He stressed the importance of preventing people from feeling abandoned, particularly when they believe that those with greater financial resources are unwilling to contribute to improving the quality of life for everyone.
According to Eman, Aruba has a strong tradition of solidarity and community spirit, and these values should continue to guide society. He said politicians and other leaders must bring different sectors of the community together around the shared goal of building a better country. Every citizen should feel that their concerns and needs are heard and addressed, particularly those who need the most support.
The meeting also highlighted the longstanding ties between the AVP and CDA, two Christian democratic parties that share similar views on the relationship between economic prosperity and social well-being. Eman noted that the CDA is one of the main parties in the Dutch governing coalition and that Bontenbal plays an important role in securing support for legislation and budgets in the House of Representatives.
Both leaders see opportunities to continue exchanging ideas and learning from each other, despite the different circumstances in Aruba and the Netherlands. Bontenbal described his conversations with Eman as inspiring and expressed hope that sharing experiences between the two countries would further strengthen their cooperation.
The meeting reaffirmed their shared belief that economic growth should translate into tangible benefits for the population, with prosperity, solidarity and social well-being contributing to a better quality of life for all.
