There is not yet agreement on a financial emergency package for Curaçao, Aruba and Sint Maarten. This became apparent on Friday after the cabinet meeting.
The emergency financial package should support the islands that are in crisis after being severely affected by the corona virus. The virus has completely halted the tourism sector, an important source of income for Curaçao, Aruba and Sint Maarten.
As a result of the crisis, it has been restless in Curaçao for the past two weeks. Unemployment is rising and riots broke out at the end of June, after which Dutch soldiers were deployed at the request of the local government.
However, the three islands do not agree with the conditions imposed on the financial emergency package from the Netherlands. Among other things, the demanded salary discount of 12.5 percent for civil servants and the reform of the pension system are unfavorable for the islands that are already struggling. They say they are already busy with the reforms, but say that they need more time in view of the corona crisis.
The main objections focus on the requirement of the Netherlands for the establishment of a Dutch institute that supervises the expenditure from the emergency package. The islands believe that they are surrendering too much autonomy.
Prime Minister Eugene Rhuggenaath of Curaçao left Tuesday already know not to agree and need more time to discuss the terms of the emergency package.
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