WILLEMSTAD - Since the outbreak of the corona pandemic in March of this year, almost 3,500 extra people have received support on Curaçao. This means that the total number of people receiving social welfare is currently over 8,000. Minister Hensley Koeiman of Social Development, Labor and Welfare announced this today.
According to the minister, the welfare department of his ministry has become the largest department. He hopes that after the pandemic has ended, the number of people on social assistance can be reduced again quickly because they get a job.
Koeiman indicated that since the outbreak of the pandemic, more than 5,000 people have reported to his ministry that they have lost their jobs. Not everyone has applied for social assistance. For example, the ministry also helps people with a contribution to buy food. This is done through the so-called "social payment cards".