That the Dutch Caribbean population has increased by 8% (see related story) according to new figures from the Dutch Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) is in principle good news. The islands are still favoured as places to live and – in some cases – settle.
However, the population is rapidly ageing particularly in Curaçao, where 25% are now 65 or older – up from nearly 14% in 2011. On the so-called BES islands (Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba) the elderly population stayed lower at around 15%, though this is still up from 10% fourteen years ago. People are also living longer than before due to medical advances.
One related problem is that employees and businesses cannot contribute enough to provide the growing number of inactive seniors with their collective pension and health insurance. This remains a burning issue also in St. Maarten, despite having raised the pensionable age to 65.
A suggested solution would be to regulate undocumented workers in the country so Social and Health Insurances SZV premiums can be paid on their behalf. Legal residency is no requirement for such coverage.
Getting one’s personnel properly registered should have priority not only important to avoid getting caught and facing stiff fines, but because this will offer some much-needed job security, likely enabling them to do their job with more peace of mind and – consequently – better.
It’s simply the right thing to do.
