WILLEMSTAD — Concerns over employee rights and workplace safety at the Curaçao House have reached Parliament, following a formal request from Quincy Girigorie for urgent government intervention.
In a letter to Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas, the MP describes a prolonged labor crisis marked by extreme tension, employee illness, and staff removals, which he says culminated in the resignation of Minister Plenipotentiary Manuel after sustained public accusations .
Girigorie notes that several employees who expressed dissatisfaction with their working relationship with the minister — both privately and publicly — are now involved in labor disputes or retirement procedures. He warns that this situation raises serious concerns about possible reprisals against staff members who spoke out.
According to the letter, employees at the Curaçao House had been experiencing unacceptable working conditions for a prolonged period, leading to high absenteeism due to illness and placements on non-active duty. The seriousness of the situation prompted the government to ask the ABVO to intervene as mediator in September 2025.
The MP is calling on the government to immediately suspend all employment termination processes initiated since August 2025 and to carry out a comprehensive review of all labor-related decisions taken during that period. He argues that allowing dismissals to continue under the current circumstances could permanently damage employees’ livelihoods.
Girigorie further stresses that Curaçao lacks a formal whistleblower protection framework, making it even more critical that public servants who report alleged misconduct are safeguarded from adverse consequences until independent investigations confirm whether their claims are valid.
He concludes that protecting employees who raise concerns is essential not only for justice, but also for restoring confidence in public administration and ensuring integrity within Curaçao’s government institutions.