Customs workers cannot be forced to disclose second jobs, union says

The StrAF union has formally written to Finance Minister Charles Cooper requesting that customs officers receive bonus payments. The petition mirrors a situation that arose in 2025, when customs personnel raised concerns about why other employees within the Ministry of Finance — such as inspection workers — were receiving bonuses while customs staff were not. The union argues that the exclusion of customs officers from bonus payments is unfair given their comparable roles within the same ministry. The letter represents an escalation of ongoing grievances among customs personnel who feel they are being treated inequitably relative to their colleagues. The outcome of this petition could have implications for labor relations within the Ministry of Finance and set a precedent for how bonuses are distributed across government departments.

The ABVO labor union is calling on employees of Curaçao's Ministry of Health, Environment, and Nature (GMN) to come forward with concrete information about irregularities within the ministry. The union wants firsthand accounts from workers about situations they believe are not being handled correctly. Based on the information gathered, ABVO says it will determine what position to take and what steps to pursue going forward. The move signals that the union suspects there are unresolved internal issues at GMN but is seeking to build a factual foundation before acting. This approach reflects a cautious, evidence-based strategy by the union before escalating any potential dispute or formal action. The ministry oversees critical public health and environmental policy on the island, making any internal dysfunction a matter of broader public concern.

The Parliament of Curaçao has officially launched preparations for the opening of the 2026/2027 parliamentary year. The formal opening takes place annually on the second Tuesday of September and is marked by a ceremonial plenary session. This yearly ritual signals the start of a fresh legislative cycle for the island's governing body. The preparations underscore Parliament's commitment to institutional continuity and structured governance. While details of the upcoming session's agenda have not yet been disclosed, the initiation of preparations marks an important step in the island's democratic calendar.