THE HAGUE – Efforts to strengthen the labor markets of the Caribbean Netherlands are accelerating, with reforms targeting education, vocational training, and immigration procedures for essential workers, the Dutch government confirmed in its latest progress briefing.
To better bridge the gap between school and employment, new subsidies support practical training for MBO students, while enhanced resources for technical education have been granted to primary and secondary schools. Saba and St. Eustatius launched the first Caribbean Academic and Vocational Year, a preparatory program designed to boost study skills and career readiness.
On labor migration, The Hague is preparing a streamlined fast-track permit system for “reliable employers” seeking qualified foreign workers in sectors with severe shortages. This includes a revision of the WTU-BES immigration law, set to be developed further in 2026.
Parallel efforts are underway to reform the IND and SZW administrative processes, including better multilingual documentation, improved information for applicants, and greater data sharing between local agencies to reduce bureaucratic delays. The report states that these improvements are essential for enabling sustainable economic growth on the islands.