WILLEMSTAD – Teachers’ union DOEN has expressed strong dissatisfaction over the handling of a court case it filed against the government, after the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport reportedly requested a postponement in the proceedings.
According to DOEN, the government was required to submit a statement of defense to the court but failed to do so within the set deadline. As a result, the government requested a delay in the case.
“This is a slap in the face of all employees in the education sector,” the union stated in a press release. DOEN pointed out the timing of the delay, noting that it came shortly after Minister Kimberley Lew-Jen-Tai (PNP) of General Affairs, Planning and Public Service publicly wished educators a “happy Education Day” on social media.
The union says it has been pursuing the legal case for over a year, focusing on the wage increment that was due in August 2024. That pay step was never paid out and, according to the government, does not need to be paid. DOEN reacted with frustration, stating that after finally bringing the issue before a judge, the government failed to submit its defense and instead asked for more time.
“And now that we are finally in court, the government does not have its defense ready and asks for a delay?! Unbelievable!” the union said.
DOEN emphasized that it will not withdraw the case. “If this is a strategy to exhaust or discourage us, then the Pisas III cabinet has bad news: education personnel will not give up,” the union declared.
The court has set January 26, 2026 as the new deadline for the government to submit its statement of defense.