THE HAGUE - State Secretary Alexandra van Huffelen (Kingdom Relations) wants to give the countries the possibility to eliminate the salary cut of 12.5%. The salary cut was established mid -2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic as a sign of solidarity toward the market and to lower government spending. Now that the costs for a normal life are getting higher, the 12.5% salary cut must be reconsidered, the State Secretary believes.
Van Huffelen: “In the past period, the costs of ordinary life have risen enormously due to the war in Ukraine. Many people struggle with the high costs of, for example, food and rent. Moreover, now that the economy is picking up again, the requirement to cut 12.5% no longer outweighs those costs. In addition, recruiting staff is increasingly difficult, while good staff is of great importance. With this, I want to give the governments the possibility to eliminate the 12.5% at their own pace. "
The most important condition for abolishing the 12.5% salary cut at their own pace is that previous agreements on the standardization of top incomes must be realized and the cut on the salary for politicians continues. The elimination of the 12.5% will be discussed by the Kingdom Council Minister on May 25. The State Secretary visits Aruba, Curaçao, and Sint Maarten from 23 to 27 May.