Report of the General Meeting September 13th 2018 in the House of Representatives

News item | 13-09-2018 | 20:39

The House of Representatives members spoke about the great poverty on Bonaire, Saba and St. Eustatius and what the government is doing about it. Member of the House of Representatives, of D66,  Antje Diertens sees that the government has taken first steps to tackle poverty. She is happy with that, but there is still a lot to do. Stieneke van der Graaf of the ChristenUnie thinks it is very important that there is an acute approach because some people have three jobs and still don’t survive.
She is glad that the central government is taking steps anyway.

The SP and GroenLinks believe that the measures are not enough and that a social minimum must now be set.
State Secretary Knops indicated that he feels responsible for giving support to residents and the administration of the islands. "I am very happy that these first steps are being taken, that there is perspective again ." He emphasized that there is work to be done for the central government as well as the local government. Knops would like to conclude an administrative agreement with Bonaire.

State Secretary van Ark also emphasized that it is all about making it better for people on Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba. "We want to do what is possible and necessary for the short and the long term." In a letter earlier this year, she announced concrete measures. In the meantime she is working on plans for the longer term and in 2020 an evaluation will follow, to see what else is needed in any case.
Mentioning one amount now for a social minimum is not possible, according to van Ark. The incomes are too low and the expenditure too high, so something has to happen on two sides. Rentals differ enormously so there is not a single figure to give for what people pay. "The most important thing for me is that the individual situation of people improves."

The ministers promised the members of the House of Representatives,  to inform them about the progress each year before the summer recess.
The concrete steps that have been announced:

• We are increasing the social relief  so that people living off of social relief will come to a minimum of 55% of the WML  as of January 1st, 2019.
• We are increasing child benefit by 50 percent as of January 1st, 2019.
• We are introducing an allowance for single AOV beneficiaries, if possible, as of January 1st, 2020.
• We are increasing the allowance for full and long-term incapacitated employees, if possible, as of January 1st, 2020.
• We are temporarily raising the income limit for the special benefit to 120 percent of the statutory minimum wage.
• We are helping to improve the quality and accessibility of childcare.
• We are stimulating social housing on the islands by introducing a form of rent subsidy.
• We are making subsidy available to guarantee the accessibility of the drinking water supply. A legislative amendment is also being prepared with respect to the electricity supply.
• We are reviewing the telecom legislation and regulations in order to improve the service and reduce the cost level.
• We are committed to strengthening entrepreneurship and the tourism sector.
• We are supporting the public entities in strengthening the employment services.