Prime Minister Mike Eman and Minister of Tourism, Transportation and Labor Wendrick Cicilia have reaffirmed the need to raise Aruba’s minimum wage, arguing that economic growth must translate into greater purchasing power and a better quality of life for workers.
Following a meeting with VVD parliamentary leader Ruben Brekelmans in the Dutch House of Representatives, both ministers stressed that Aruba’s economic prosperity must benefit the entire population.
Eman, who attended alongside Cicilia and Aruba’s Minister Plenipotentiary in the Netherlands, Mildred Schwengle, said the Netherlands faces similar concerns about economic growth leaving part of the population behind. He said this reinforces the need to ensure that prosperity generated by sectors such as tourism benefits all citizens.
The prime minister stressed that while the government is willing to discuss possible compensation measures for the private sector, raising the minimum wage is not up for debate.
“We are not open to any discussion about whether the minimum wage should increase. It must increase,” Eman said.
He highlighted housekeeping staff at five-star hotels, who help maintain Aruba’s service standards, and questioned how the tourism industry could continue to grow while many employees still earn the minimum wage.
Eman noted that revenue per available room (RevPAR), a key measure of hotel performance, has increased significantly in recent years. Yet many workers, including kitchen and maintenance staff who do not receive tips, continue to earn the minimum wage. Some work through contractors rather than directly for hotels, he added.
Eman also pointed to government efforts to improve conditions for pensioners, including former hotel workers who now depend on limited pension income.
Cicilia said an analysis prepared for Aruba by Economisch Bureau Amsterdam (EBA) shows that the minimum wage has not increased substantially since 2017, while inflation has continued to rise. This has weakened the purchasing power of lower-income workers despite Aruba’s considerable economic growth.
The analysis uses academic research and economic data to explore ways to distribute prosperity more fairly, Cicilia said. He questioned whether it is acceptable for the economy to flourish while working families struggle to cover basic expenses.
Although the government recognizes concerns about the potential effects of a minimum wage increase, Cicilia said Aruba’s current economic conditions offer an opportunity to improve the quality of life of workers who have been left behind.
Eman said government figures indicate that approximately 22,000 workers, or about 43% of the working population, earn below the subsistence income level. He said this is one of the main reasons the government remains committed to raising the minimum wage.
Aruba’s economic success, Eman argued, should be measured not only by growth figures or the experience of tourists, but also by whether residents see improvements in their daily lives. The concept of the “One Happy Island” must reflect the well-being of the people who contribute to the island’s success, he concluded.
