WILLEMSTAD - The regulation for cabinet employees of the minister has been adjusted. From 14 June 2021, the same employment conditions as all civil servants will apply to cabinet employees. The maximum number of cabinet employees has been increased from 5 to 7 for the benefit of the ministers to meet the need for capacity and support for the cabinets of the ministers. This to frame the hiring of consultants, specialists, and consultant retainer fees.
The Council of Ministers made a decision on 25 August 2021 on a new scheme for cabinet employees. Cabinet employees, in the same way as all civil servants, receive an overtime allowance based on the overtime actually worked and no longer receive an automatic overtime allowance. In addition, cabinet employees who are already civil servants are no longer entitled to three payment scale after the minister's resignation, if they resume their work within their ministry. Holidays must also be taken in accordance with legislation and regulations and will expire if the holidays are not taken in time. Since cabinet employees perform a special task, they receive an allowance of 25% on top of their salary (in accordance with the old circular).
The number of cabinet employees per ministry has been increased from 5 to a maximum of 7. A specialist advisor position has been added. The person appointed to this position must also be able to perform the duties of head of cabinet. This function has been added so that ministers can make use of specialists within the frameworks to advise them within their policy area. This also prevents the hiring of all kinds of other specialists or making them available outside the cabinet's formation.
Simultaneously with ongoing interventions to increase the efficiency of public administration, ministers may require additional support to perform their duties properly. With the expansion of the formation, ministers can use 2 to 3 supporters depending on the size of their ministry to handle ongoing projects and/or requests. A profile has been made for each position that the cabinet employee to be hired must meet.
With the above, the Minister of Management, Planning and Services has clarified the latest circular regarding cabinet employees.