WILLEMSTAD - The unions do not agree with the government's proposal to pay only three percent holiday pay. They demand the full six percent. Civil servants in the lower scales would otherwise not even notice the payment of the holiday pay.
Minister Ornelio 'Kid' Martina of Administration, Planning, and Services spoke to the civil servants' unions yesterday. There have been talks of a 12.5 percent cut on employment conditions, with the government assuming payment of three percent in holiday pay.
In addition, the intention was to pay the salary step for the year 2020 in August of this year. Since the country of Curaçao does not have an approved job assessment system, the salary step is automatically paid to everyone.
The unions also demand that the government pay default interest over the period from 2020 to 2022. Another tricky point is that 45 percent of all civil servants are on their maximum scale and are therefore not eligible for a wage step. The unions do not think that is fair and are against this form of discrimination.