WILLEMSTAD - The MAN-PIN faction is criticizing the government for attempting to push through a vacation allowance increase for politicians by combining it with the law that raises the vacation allowance for civil servants. According to the faction, this move violates both legal procedure and basic standards of ethics and good governance.
During last week’s parliamentary debate, MAN-PIN accused the government of trying to “throw a fastball at the people” by inserting politicians’ benefits into the same legislative package intended to correct the long-delayed vacation allowance for civil servants.
The faction argues that this is especially inappropriate at a time when the government still fails to comply with its legal obligation to index AOV pensions.
RvA Confirms: Procedure Was Violated
In a letter dated November 21, the Council of Advice (RvA) sharply rebuked the government for bypassing the required legal process. According to the RvA, the government committed a procedural error by failing to send the separate law on politicians’ benefits to the Council for review.
Moreover, the RvA emphasized that the government improperly attempted to merge two very different legal requirements:
A law on political officeholders’ benefits, which requires a two-thirds majority (14 votes) in Parliament.
A law on civil servants’ vacation allowance, which only requires a simple majority (11 votes).
The Council used the same arguments raised earlier by MAN-PIN, confirming that the government’s approach violated Curaçao’s constitutional framework.
MAN-PIN’s Proposal: Separate the Laws
MAN-PIN had already urged Prime Minister Pisas to separate the two laws, arguing that civil servants should not be penalized by the government’s procedural errors. The faction maintains that the legislation for civil servants can move forward immediately with 11 votes, allowing workers to finally receive their overdue vacation allowance.
By contrast, any proposal affecting ministers’ and MPs’ benefits must undergo full legal procedure, including areview by the Council of Advice, and approval by a two-thirds parliamentary majority.
Government Acknowledges Error On Friday, November 28, the government responded to MAN-PIN’s questions and admitted that the opposition faction’s objections were correct. The government has now submitted a Note of Amendment, adjusting the legislation so that only the civil servants’ part moves forward — exactly as MAN-PIN proposed.
“Good judgment has prevailed”
MAN-PIN says it is pleased that legal and democratic principles ultimately prevailed.
“This once again demonstrates the essential role of a serious opposition, grounded in democracy and moral responsibility, in correcting poor governance,” the faction stated.
The debate marks yet another instance in which the opposition and the Council of Advice have jointly warned the government to respect Curaçao’s constitutional procedures — especially when changes to politicians’ compensation are involved.