WILLEMSTAD – Prime Minister Gilmar “Pik” Pisas has stated that there will be no mass layoffs at 2Bays or Curaçao Refinery Utilities (CRU), countering concerns about job losses in the oil sector.
According to Pisas, all 260 permanent employees of CRU have retained their positions. The prime minister acknowledged, however, that the use of external contractors has been scaled back. This reduction follows a revision of investment plans by Global Oil, prompted by international sanctions imposed on Venezuela.
“As a result of these sanctions, the demand for services provided by contractors has decreased,” Pisas said. “This led contractors to redeploy 31 employees and to terminate 16 temporary service contracts.”
The government emphasized that it remains committed to preserving employment in the oil sector, working closely with 2Bays and Vigor within the applicable legal and social frameworks. At the same time, Pisas noted that the sector continues to face significant pressure due to ongoing geopolitical developments, limiting opportunities for economic expansion in the near term.
The statement aims to reassure workers and the wider public amid uncertainty surrounding the future of Curaçao’s oil-related activities and the broader regional impact of international sanctions.