WILLEMSTAD — The Netherlands and the ‘ES-Islands’ (Saba and St. Eustatius) have reached agreement on the assignment of tasks, minimum wages, social security benefits and employment permits such as these will apply for abovementioned public bodies as per the transition date. Bonaire, which had been invited to participate with the political consultation , had declined the invitation but was present as listener.
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Deputies Chris Johnson (Saba, WIPM) and Julian Woodley (St. Eustatius, DP) seemed pleased while they sat next to State Secretary Ank Bijleveld-Schouten (Kingdom Relations) and Minister Pieter Hein Donner (Social Services and Employment, both CDA) during a short press conference in the Avila Hotel.
Johnson indicated that he would gladly take his chance with the Netherlands after the Antilles had proved to be ‘an absent landlord’ for the Windward Islands. What had been accomplished yesterday, confirmed Saba’s impression all the more, Johnson stated, that the Netherlands is not only trustworthy in writing but also with deeds.
Woodley concurred with his Windward colleague and denied that ‘the Netherlands will take over everything on Statia’: "We are all Dutch citizens. We too will be taking something over ourselves and indeed in a responsible manner in the interest of our population. Due to our limitations regarding human strength and finances, it is understandable that we appreciate the support of our brothers and sisters on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean."
Bijleveld had mentioned several times how she regretted that Bonaire had marked time. Just like that time when Curaçao had not participated for a while in this process of political changes, neither may the current choice of Bonaire have negative consequences for St. Maarten, Curaçao, Saba or St. Eustatius, according to the State Secretary. She hopes that Bonaire will join in again. The island will then receive the same arrangements for which the other two islands had chosen. Donner supported his Dutch colleague in this by emphatically stating that there ‘will be no discussion about separate systems’ to accommodate Bonaire.
Bijleveld also mentioned that any political option such as ‘free association’ within the Kingdom does not exist, nor will such be drawn up by the Netherlands. According to Bijleveld, the Statute offers the Netherlands possibilities to act decisively if Bonaire waits too long in choosing between the options, which are feasible. Bijleveld recited that the Netherlands, considering its constitution, only acknowledges the options of a land, municipality, province and a public body.
In essence, the division of tasks boils down to Saba and St. Eustatia managing as many tasks as possible themselves.
The Netherlands will manage everything, which these two entities cannot manage themselves (yet) – without making a distinction between affairs that come under the islands or under the land the Netherlands Antilles. However, the idea is to deploy as many local people as possible. As an example, Woodley mentioned the fact that even though St. Eustatius has a good harbormaster, there are no inspectors to exercise control and impose fines wherever necessary. He welcomes the arrival of the European-Dutch inspectors in this field.
After the political reformation has been completed, the public bodies and the Netherlands will annually review who will manage which tasks. There will also be a periodical review and consultation on the financial consequences of the task division and task redistribution.
Adjustment of AOV
Saba and St. Eustatius will receive ‘a uniform system for minimum wages and social security benefits such as known in the Netherlands’, which means there is no difference between the two values. However, the Dutch standards will not apply with regard to the level of minimum wages and social security benefits.
"That would be detrimental for the economy of these two islands", says Donner. Although it is the intention to improve the minimum wages, the AOV and the social security benefit. In this, the island’s economical capacity, social proportions, specific island circumstances and the financial-economical situation of the Netherlands will be taken into account.
One of the specific island circumstances regards the price level of consumer goods. Donner will arrange for a price research on a certain package of basic goods. This could lead to the implementation of an adjustment or indemnification for the AOV to compensate disproportionate price differences due to import costs.
The retirement age for company pensions and AOV will be raised to 65 years – according to the Dutch model. The raise from the current 60 to 65 years (and possibly higher) will occur gradually, for example an additional year every two calendar years. The 65 year retirement age will then be reached around 2021. "What we especially do not wish, is that someone who is now 59 years of age will suddenly be told that he or she must continue to work until they’re 65 years of age", Johnson emphasized. "We will gratefully make use of Minister Donner’s expansive experience on this matter", he subtly added, clearly referring to the vicissitudes, which the current Dutch cabinet is experiencing on raising the retirement age from 65 to 67 years in the overseas kingdom territory.
Saba and St. Eustatius will receive ‘a uniform system for minimum wages and social security benefits such as known in the Netherlands’, which means there is no difference between the two values. However, the Dutch standards will not apply with regard to the level of minimum wages and social security benefits."That would be detrimental for the economy of these two islands", says Donner. Although it is the intention to improve the minimum wages, the AOV and the social security benefit. In this, the island’s economical capacity, social proportions, specific island circumstances and the financial-economical situation of the Netherlands will be taken into account.One of the specific island circumstances regards the price level of consumer goods. Donner will arrange for a price research on a certain package of basic goods. This could lead to the implementation of an adjustment or indemnification for the AOV to compensate disproportionate price differences due to import costs.The retirement age for company pensions and AOV will be raised to 65 years – according to the Dutch model. The raise from the current 60 to 65 years (and possibly higher) will occur gradually, for example an additional year every two calendar years. The 65 year retirement age will then be reached around 2021. "What we especially do not wish, is that someone who is now 59 years of age will suddenly be told that he or she must continue to work until they’re 65 years of age", Johnson emphasized. "We will gratefully make use of Minister Donner’s expansive experience on this matter", he subtly added, clearly referring to the vicissitudes, which the current Dutch cabinet is experiencing on raising the retirement age from 65 to 67 years in the overseas kingdom territory.
2.69 euros per hour
Saba and St. Eustatius will receive a ‘custom-made’ minimum wage system. Prior to having accepted this new system, the choice had already been made to implement the high minimum wage on Bonaire – the highest of the three when it regarded the BES-Islands at the time – on all three islands. According to the Windward deputies, in any case this will mean that (minimum) wages on their islands will increase with 15 percent.
For that matter, the agreed 7.21 guilders per hour corresponds with 2.69 euros per hour at the current exchange rate. The minimum wage varies in the Netherlands, depending on a thirty-six, thirty-eight or forty-hour week. In addition, there is the distinction between the ages from 15 up to and including 22 years, as of 23 years up to and including 65 years (and higher once the retirement age is raised) which amounts to 8.85 euros per hour (36-hour week), 8.39 euros per hour (38-hour week) and 7.97 euros (40-hour week).
Saba and St. Eustatius will receive a ‘custom-made’ minimum wage system. Prior to having accepted this new system, the choice had already been made to implement the high minimum wage on Bonaire – the highest of the three when it regarded the BES-Islands at the time – on all three islands. According to the Windward deputies, in any case this will mean that (minimum) wages on their islands will increase with 15 percent.For that matter, the agreed 7.21 guilders per hour corresponds with 2.69 euros per hour at the current exchange rate. The minimum wage varies in the Netherlands, depending on a thirty-six, thirty-eight or forty-hour week. In addition, there is the distinction between the ages from 15 up to and including 22 years, as of 23 years up to and including 65 years (and higher once the retirement age is raised) which amounts to 8.85 euros per hour (36-hour week), 8.39 euros per hour (38-hour week) and 7.97 euros (40-hour week).
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