Relations between current State Secretary of Kingdom Relations Alexandra van Huffelen and the governments of the three Dutch Caribbean countries are being put to the test. Despite her disagreement, Aruba is going ahead and giving its public sector employees back 5% of the 12.6% benefits reduction applied two years ago (see related story) due to the COVID-19 pandemic and as condition for badly needed liquidity support from the Netherlands.
St. Maarten already granted the 6% vacation allowance to personnel that was suspended as part of its coronavirus-related 12.5% cuts, while Curaçao is paying out a fixed “compensation” of 1,750 Netherlands Antillean guilders gross each. None of these moves carry the Kingdom Council of Ministers’ approval.
When Van Huffelen took over from her predecessor Raymond Knops there was hope on the islands of less tension in dealings with The Hague. However, lacking explicit blessings from the Committees for Financial Supervision CAFT of Aruba and CFT of Curaçao and St. Maarten, her consent for these additional expenditures was doubtful at best.
It is important to manage the current differences calmly and collectively, keeping in mind the interest of the people and not jeopardising progress made so far. The actions in Oranjestad, Willemstad and Philipsburg were not taken to be rebellious, but because civil servants and teachers have contributed their share for a long time and are hurting.
The cost of both living and doing businesses is skyrocketing due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, creating yet another crisis for the three autonomous countries that are also still recovering from the impact of devastating Hurricane Irma on St. Maarten and closure of the oil refineries in Curaçao and Aruba.
These are not circumstances under which to argue within the Dutch kingdom, because it will be the most vulnerable in society who ultimately pay the biggest price. Common sense and a reasonable approach on all sides must remain the guiding principles even if it means adjusting certain earlier arrangements to reflect new developments and changing realities.
