The citizens of the islands are positive about the future of the islands, now that these are part of the Netherlands. There are different thoughts on the question if the situation on the island has improved or worsened since the islands have become part of the Netherlands. Of those interviewed 38% is positive, 39% negative. There are remarkable differences on the islands. On Saba 25% is positive, on Sint Eustatius 31% and on Bonaire 43%.
Changes
Commissioned by the Kingdom representative the research bureau Curconsult conducted a perception research on the three islands of the Dutch Caribbean. The research gives an answer to the question: ‘How do the citizens of the Dutch Caribbean experience the changes as a consequence of the state reform within the Kingdom?’
In the research, questions have been asked on the areas which the citizens find most important, such as: care, safety, taxes, education and immigration.
Popularity
The Rijksdienst Caribisch Nederland (RCN) is known by 88% of those whom have been interviewed, a minority of the citizens (28%) know whom the Kingdom representative is.
Education
The education is better or has become better, according to 40% of the inhabitants of the Dutch Caribbean. A majority (57%) of those being interviewed expects that it will go better with the education in the future.
Immigration
Almost half of the citizens which have been in contact with the IND, indicated that they have been well informed concerning the residence regulations. 61% of the IND clients are of the opinion that the service has improved since 10.10.10.
Income
81% of the respondents indicated a reduction in purchasing power since 10.10.10. Still they are optimistic about the near future: 57% of the inhabitants are positive about the developments of their own income and expect a recovery of the purchasing power over the next 1 to 2 years.
Health care
This topic has the most of the people’s attention. The opinions about the care are divided, 38% of the interviewed persons are satisfied, 36% is unsatisfied concerning the care in the Dutch Caribbean. When comparing the care to the past, 36% believes that there is an improvement, whilst 37% thinks the opposite.
The criticism mostly concerns the fact that some medicines are not being reimbursed anymore and the situation when patients are sent for medical care abroad. That the dentist is included in the health care insurance package and that all care is received with the use of an identification card (sedula) is being experienced as positive.
Taxes
The service at the Tax office has been judged as better compared to the situation before 10.10.10.; 39% of the persons interviewed have experienced this as good. There is praise for the support the Tax office is offering to complete the forms.
Security
There is a lot of criticism on the way the police is operating. People believe that there is too little blue on the streets, crime is increasing and the feelings of safety have decreased. 40% of the citizens is unsatisfied with the functioning of the police, contrary to 32% that is satisfied. Remarkable is that the criticism is only applicable for Bonaire and Saba and not for Sint Eustatius.