Curaçao Prices Hold Steady in August 2026, CBS Reports

Consumer prices on Curaçao were unchanged in August compared to July, according to new data from the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS). While the month-over-month inflation rate was flat at 0%, the cost of living on the island remains elevated compared to the same period last year. This means residents are still feeling the cumulative pressure of price increases that built up over previous months. The stability in August offers some short-term relief, but does not reverse the broader trend of higher living costs that has persisted into 2024. The CBS figures serve as a key economic indicator for policymakers and households navigating budgets on the island.

Raul Henriquez, director and secretary-general of Curaçao's Social-Economic Council (SER), made a call at an international summit for artificial intelligence to be developed in a way that actively benefits workers, not just improves corporate efficiency. Henriquez stressed that AI's growing role in the workplace must translate into tangible advantages for employees, such as better working conditions, skill development, and job security. The statement was made on behalf of the SER, an advisory body that counsels the Curaçao government on social and economic policy. The summit provided a platform for regional and international voices to weigh in on how AI is reshaping labor markets. Henriquez's position reflects a broader concern among labor advocates that AI-driven automation could displace workers without adequate protections or benefits in return. The SER's stance signals that Curaçao's advisory institutions are actively engaging with global technology trends and their implications for the local workforce.

The Social Economic Council of Curaçao (SER) is calling for artificial intelligence policies that protect workers' rights and ensure fair treatment in the hiring process. The concern arises as AI-driven algorithmic screening tools are increasingly being used by employers before they even review a job applicant's resume. A young person applying for a tourism job, for example, may already be evaluated and filtered out by an algorithm without any human ever seeing their application. SER argues that this creates significant implications for equal opportunity and fair treatment in the workplace. The council is advocating for a framework that governs how AI is used in employment decisions, ensuring it benefits rather than disadvantages workers. The issue is particularly relevant for Curaçao's tourism sector, one of the island's largest employers. SER's position signals a broader conversation on the island about regulating emerging technologies in the labor market.