That public officeholders currently make no employee contribution toward the pension benefits attached to their political office (see related story) is indeed questionable. Finance Minister Marinka Gumbs in any case wants that to change with a proposed 8% premium which civil servants also pay.
She announced having received approval from the Council of Ministers. The applicable ordinance provides for this matter to be regulated by National Decree Containing General Measures.
Nevertheless, it will be interesting to see what parliamentarians think. After all, the move basically reduces their disposable income.
But cabinet members have now agreed to such. Besides, it is reportedly already a fact in both the other two Dutch Caribbean countries Aruba and Curaçao.
Some may argue retroactive payments are actually in order going back to the constitutional reforms per 10-10-10. However, that would not only be extreme but probably unlawful.
Correcting the situation going forward seems like a more sensible approach. The minister rightly argued that politicians should not ask society to carry a burden they are not prepared to share themselves.
One aspect which might require further explanation is that of government workers elected and/or appointed to public office. These are usually “made available” for such, maintaining the right to return to their former or a similar job.
In that position they pay normal General Pension Fund of St. Maarten APS contributions. The question is what implications the future new rule could have for them and their regular civil servant pension.
Apart from that, this idea deserves support. It’s simply the fair thing to do.
