2023-10-27 20:56:14
The government is increasing the minimum wage and benefits on Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba. This is especially good news for Bonaire. The minimum wage there is now 1,236 US dollars (1,169 euros). The new minimum wage will be 1,750 dollars (1,654 euros).
Wages are slightly higher on Bonaire, but there too the increase ensures a significant improvement. The minimum wage on Saba is currently 1,443 dollars (1,365 euros) and on St. Eustatius 1,446 dollars (1,368 euros).
With the increase in the minimum wage, the outgoing cabinet is responding to the recently published report of the Thodé Commission.
‘One in three residents cannot make ends meet’
The committee concluded that one in three residents of the islands cannot make ends meet, despite the fact that many of them work. The investigative committee recommended increasing the wage to $1,750.
The House of Representatives agreed earlier this week to follow this advice. The government is therefore going along with this.
Minister Carola Schouten (Poverty Policy) and State Secretary Alexandra van Huffelen (Kingdom Relations) announced the increase at a press conference on Bonaire.
Also more child benefit and subsidies
The minimum wage isn’t the only thing going up. From January next year, child benefit on the islands will increase by $90 per child per month. This brings the child benefit on St. Eustatius to $216 and to $225 on Bonaire and Saba.
In addition, there will be a subsidy to reduce the costs of water, internet and energy. The energy allowance for people with the lowest incomes will also continue next year.
Finally, Van Huffelen announces measures to support public transport on the islands and provide free school meals.
Chairman Glenn Thodé of the aforementioned committee calls the measures a “major step towards tackling poverty in the Caribbean Netherlands”. He hopes for more measures to reduce the high costs on the islands.
More than 38 million extra for the Caribbean Netherlands
On Budget Day, the cabinet announced that an additional 30 million euros will go to the islands in 2024. From 2025, this will increase to 32 million euros. This will pay for increases in benefits and child benefits.
This week, the House of Representatives also reserved 8.4 million euros in the budget of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment.
Half of this goes to employers on the islands. This should help them to pay the higher personnel costs.
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