WILLEMSTAD - The Social Insurance Bank (SVB) is quite surprised by the fierce criticism that the Minister of Finance Javier Silvania has expressed on his Facebook page. In an interview the SVB says that after the financial report was submitted, there was no consultation with the minister.
The SVB was surprised that the minister subsequently responded to the report via social media. According to the spokesperson, the salary of SVB director Philip Martis mentioned by the minister is also incorrect.
The minister questions SVB's policy. For example, the minister says: “Imagine yourself. Experts have come up with the idea of taking the Christmas bonus for retirees from SVB in order to reduce costs. The Pisas cabinet has said 'no way'. Let SVB start reducing its operational costs.”
“Imagine yourself. Experts have come up with the idea of increasing the premium for social insurance. The Pisas cabinet has said 'no way'. Let SBAB start checking the companies with illegal employees who don't pay contributions.”
“Imagine yourself. Experts have come up with the idea of reducing the AWW (General Widow Fund) benefit by 10 percent. The Pisas cabinet has said 'no way'. A widow receives 400 guilders from SVB. Nothing can be taken from that. Our heart beats for Curaçao.”
The minister later discussed the salary of the SVB director in yet another post. The Minister of Finance earns 8,000 guilders a month. The director of SVB 100,000 guilders per month. In order to cut spending, SVB does not want to pay out a Christmas bonus to pensioners.