WILLEMSTAD - The government is cracking down on employers who allow foreign employees to work without a permit. "This way Curaçao workers don't get a chance," SBAB inspector Angelo Pichardo indicated during a recent surprise action.
There were several images on social media of a multidisciplinary government team raiding a construction project at the F.D. Rooseveltweg. Several people are arrested and taken away in a van.
These are 'illegal employees', explains Pichardo. An extensive team, including employees of the Tax Accountants Bureau (SBAB), the Curaçao Police Force and the Ministries of Economic Development (MEO) and Social Development, Labor and Welfare (SOAW), will take strong action where employers deploy illegal employees. SBAB inspector Pichardo is bothered that business owners choose a foreign force, without having the proper permits, instead of a yu'i Kòrsou (someone born in Curaçao).
The employer can expect a hefty sanction from various angles. Pichardo mentions as an example a fine of 4,000 guilders from the Social Insurance Bank for every illegal employee and a fine from SOAW for the employer that can amount to 100,000 guilders. In addition, the Inspectorate will claim back taxes for the period that an illegal employee has worked.
Eighteen workers were employed on the Rooseveltweg project. Pichardo says that sixteen of them were not from Curaçao. Most of the employees did not have a work permit. The multidisciplinary team was supposed to go to several locations.