SZW Labour Affairs Officer

HBO | Bonaire | 36 hours | Vacancy number P&O2025_09_006 | Closing date 30 September 2025

Job description

With your knowledge of the labour legislation and experience in applying it, you provide clarity on labour issues for both employers and employees. Whether it concerns questions about employment agreements, dismissal, or complex situations, people know where to find you for clear advice and independent mediation. Every question and every conversation is an opportunity to contribute to a fair and equitable labour market.

You stand firmly on your own two feet: you work independently and take responsibility, but you also know how to seek cooperation and coordination with colleagues and partners when necessary. This not only brings knowledge together, but also creates connection.

What makes this work special is that you have an impact on the lives of people. You are an independent, incorruptible sparring partner who brings calm and clarity, sometimes in tense situations. At the same time, you are part of a committed and friendly team, where hard work and having fun together go hand in hand.

Job responsibilities

The main tasks of the department are informing residents, mediating in labour disputes, and supporting the dismissal committee procedure: Your job responsibilities consist of:

• You handle and answer questions from employers and employees regarding labour legislation;
• You handle the intake and handle complaints concerning employment affairs;
• You maintain contact with relevant employers and employees to retrieve and exchange information;
• You mediate and report on labour disputes between an employer and an employee;
• You prepare reports for the benefit of the other departments within the SZW Unit;
• You handle applications regarding dismissal authorisation;
• You act as a "hotline" for all collective labour agreements concluded in the CN;
• You act as the secretary of the (neutral) dismissal committee;
• You signal bottlenecks;
• You support requests for legal assistance;
• You organise information sessions.

The organisation

The Social Affairs and Employment (SZW) Unit implements the social security for the Caribbean Netherlands. In addition, SZW is responsible for the Labour Inspection CN, work permits, employment affairs, and Plenchi di Trabou. A total of approximately 55 employees work at the SZW Unit, of which 6 work on Saba and St. Eustatius. There are many developments in the social domain and the remit of the Unit is expanding. Among others, a childcare scheme, an Unemployment Act CN, and adjustments to the labour legislation are implementation schemes that, depending on political decision-making, will soon be implemented by the SZW Unit. The SZW Unit works towards a dignified existence for everyone in the Caribbean Netherlands.

Competencies

• Judgement
• Integrity
• Solution orientation;
• Collaboration skills
• Planning and organisation
• Self-development
• De-escalating work attitude

Job requirements

• Intellectual and professional ability at the level of Higher Professional Education Plus (HBO+);
• Knowledge of the labour legislation;
• Knowledge of the broad discipline of SZW and, in particular, employment affairs;
• Enthusiastic, focus on cooperation, and ability to act decisively;
• Empathy and a hands-on mentality;
• Good command in the written and spoken word of Dutch, and you speak Papiamento, Spanish, and English well.

What do we offer?

• An appointment in conformity with the Rechstpositiebesluit Ambtenaren BES (BES Legal Status of Civil Servants Decree);
• A salary in line with the market, in initial salary scale 8 and job salary scale 8 (a gross monthly salary between a minimum of $2.741,- and a maximum of $4.187,-), based on a work week of 36 hours. A pay grade based on knowledge and experience;
• A holiday pay (8.33% of the annual income);
• A13^th month (8.33% of the annual income);
• Vitality allowance;
• A pension plan administered by Pensioenfonds Caribisch Nederland (PCN);
• 182 holiday hours based on a work week of 36 hours;
• A temporary appointment of one year with the prospect of a permanent appointment in case of good performance and a positive appraisal;
• A relocation scheme for applicants not living in the island.

Terms of appointment

• A Certificate of Good Conduct (VOG);
• A medical examination for admission to the pension fund;
• Dutch citizenship.

Procedure

An assessment, case and/or reference check may be part of the procedure.

This vacancy is being advertised internally and externally, and the following order will be considered in the selection process Official RCN staff on Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba (internal);

• Residents of the Caribbean part of the Netherlands (external);
• Other candidates (external);

Important information for interested applicants living outside the Caribbean Netherlands

• The salary is paid in American dollars, the official currency in the Caribbean Netherlands;
• The Caribbean Netherlands has its own tax regulations. Income above the tax-free allowance ($21,373 in 2025) will be taxed at a rate of 30.4% in payroll tax in the first bracket; In the second bracket, a tax rate of 35.4% applies.
• You are or will become a resident of the Caribbean Netherlands.

Do you require more information?

For information about the job vacancy, please contact Teamleader Tara Jantji-Mauricio at +599 795 5493 or by sending an email to  tara.mauricio@rijksdienstcn.com

Digital applications:

You may send your curriculum vitae with cover letter to: vacature@rijksdienstCN.com