State Secretary Jurgen Nobel on a working visit to Bonaire
From 23 November up to and including 27 November 2025, Jurgen Nobel, State Secretary for Participation and Integration, is visiting Bonaire. The working visit focuses on the new legislation and regulations governing childcare, working conditions and social security. On the island, the State Secretary is also meeting with administrators from St. Eustatius and Saba. State Secretary Nobel is the Cabinet official responsible for the policy in the area of social affairs and employment for Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba.
State Secretary Nobel:
“We are making great strides together in the area of employment, social security and childcare. The minimum wage was raised; we are working on leave arrangements and an unemployment regulation. We are also working on new regulations to enable the Labour Inspectorate to better enforce safety in the workplace. A new law on safe, affordable and high-quality childcare enters into force next year for childcare. I am delighted to visit Bonaire to see and hear for myself how policy plays out in practice. Work must be rewarding, must be safe, and parents must be able to take their children to good, affordable childcare”.
During his visit, the State Secretary will be visiting various childcare centres to observe and discuss how preparations are being made for the new Law Childcare BES. The Law takes effect on 1 January 2026 and aims to regulate the safety, quality and affordability of childcare.
The State Secretary is also going to discuss various topics in the area of employment, income, and social security with the Central Dialogue, the Chamber of Commerce, the Plenchi di Trabou employment agency, and the social assistance organisation Sentro Akseso Boneiru. He is also visiting the Labour Inspectorate to hear first-hand what is needed to strengthen the enforcement by the inspectorate. A process is currently underway to update the regulations governing working conditions.
On the last day of his visit, the State Secretary is also meeting with administrators from St. Eustatius and Saba. Finally, the State Secretary is attending the year end conference of the National Coordinator for Discrimination and Racism (NCDR). This conference focuses on the Caribbean Netherlands and the differences with the European Netherlands. Poverty, children growing up in poverty and livelihood security are important issues in this regard.