WILLEMSTAD - The Government of Curaçao has taken a significant step in restoring the employment conditions of civil servants and similar workers by lifting the restrictions that have been in place since 2021. These limitations were introduced as part of the financial support package from the Netherlands during the COVID-19 crisis. During this period, civil servants made sacrifices in a show of solidarity with the challenges brought on by the pandemic.
With the repeal of Article 9 of the relevant national ordinance, the government is reinstating the pre-crisis employment terms. This means that the financial restrictions imposed in 2021 will be removed. In addition, the government will implement a salary increase, known as indexation, starting from January 1, 2024. The total amount allocated for this indexation is 17.1 million guilders, which will be paid out in December 2024.
Furthermore, in January, the government will distribute an additional 18.7 million guilders in the form of "salary steps" and a one-time lump-sum payment. An additional 17 million guilders have also been reserved for further indexation. Employees of subsidized schools will benefit from this agreement as well, with 6.2 million guilders set aside for salary steps and lump-sum payments. These payments are contingent upon final approval by the Central Organized Consultation for Civil Servants (CGOA), a platform where the government and unions collaborate.
The agreement was signed on Thursday following negotiations that began in September. Acting Minister of Governance, Planning, and Services, Sithree van Heydoorn, along with union representatives from the Central Committee of Trade Unions (C.C.v.V.) and the CGOA chairman, signed the agreement on behalf of the government. With the agreement in place, the legislative process can now begin, and the proposal will be submitted to parliament for review and approval, allowing the government to proceed with the payments in 2024.