Social security and reforms focal points in Kingdom Relations
The improving of the social security for residents of Bonaire, Saba and Sint Eustatius and new agreements on the collaboration to implement reforms with the countries Curaçao, Aruba and Sint Maarten. In 2023, these were some of the most important milestones in the relations between the Netherlands and the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom.
Lower cost of living
In 2023, the report of the Social Minimum Committee Caribbean Netherlands was released. Partly based on the advice of this Committee, the Dutch Government decided to make 30 million euro structurally available as of 2024 to strengthen the social security of people on Bonaire, Saba and Sint Eustatius. To this extent, the social minimum and the legal minimum wage will be increased to $1.750 per month per the 1st of July 2024.
Various measures were taken in 2023 to reduce the cost of living. Examples are the energy subsidy, lower internet costs, the subsidy for the ferry in the Windward Islands and a financial contribution to organise public transport on Bonaire, Saba and St. Eustatius.
Government agreements were signed with both St. Eustatius and Saba in 2023. Central themes in these agreements are, among other things, social security, economic and/or physical development, climate, nature, environment, good governance and strengthening of the operational capacity.
Sustainably working together on reforms
The four countries in the Kingdom signed the Mutual Agreement early April 2023 for sustainable collaboration on reforms in the public sector of the Caribbean countries. For this purpose, Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten work together with the Temporary Work Organisation (TWO).
Among other things, an agreement was reached in Aruba about modernising the labour market in combination with strengthening the social security. Also, a care agreement was reached to manage the healthcare costs and to safeguard the quality of care.
In Curaçao, the programme Improving Functioning Government was approved to realise savings in the cost of personnel and to strengthen the quality of the government organisation. The permits window for entrepreneurs in Curaçao was digitised and work was continued to tackle the backlog in maintenance of school buildings.
In Sint Maarten, the framework for sizable reforms in the government organisation was established in 2023. Strengthening of the government organisation, the organisation culture and integrity are focal points in this.
Tackling subversive crime
In 2023, the Ministry of Interior Affairs and Kingdom Relations (BZK) reserved close to 18 million euros for the tackling of subversive crime in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom. These means were utilised for the expansion of capacity at the Detective Cooperation Team (RST), the Public Prosecutor’s Office of Curaçao, Sint Maarten and the Caribbean Netherlands, the Public Prosecutor’s Office Aruba and the Joint Court of Justice. In 2023, the implementation of the first projects started based on jointly drafted plans of approach. Such as the developing of awareness campaigns, hiring legislation capacity and drafting subversive crime assessments.
Reconstruction Sint Maarten
St. Maarten’s reconstruction after the devastating hurricane Irma in 2017 progresses steadily. The results of the investments via the Trust Fund Sint Maarten Reconstruction, financed by the Netherlands and managed by the World Bank, are becoming more visible. The total size of the Trust Fund projects amounted to more than $443 million at the end of 2023. In total, 12 projects received trust fund grants in 2023. Also, the World Bank opened its local office in Sint Maarten in 2023 which contributes to the effectiveness of the Bank’s work.
Kingdom-wide: Programme Slavery past and Cooperating Funds Caribbean
On the 1st of July 2023, the Commemoration Year Slavery past started. In close collaboration with the islands, a commemoration was organised in Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten, Bonaire, Saba and St. Eustatius on July 1st. A member of the Dutch Government was present on each island. On July 3rd, State Secretary Alexandra van Huffelen pronounced the formal rehabilitation of Curaçao freedom fighter and resistance hero Tula on behalf of the Dutch State. Archives from the Slavery past were transferred to the Aruba National Archive where the process will continue to scan the archives with old handwritings.
The Ministry of BZK contributed 0.5 million euro to the new programme Cooperating Funds Caribbean of the Oranjefonds for social initiatives in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom. The programme is aimed at initiatives that provide assistance to families in vulnerable positions. Social organisations on the six islands can apply at this fund.
