SER Curaçao weighs in on proposed welfare ordinance amendment

Willemstad, August 27, 2024—The Social and Economic Council (SER) of Curaçao has issued its advisory opinion today to the chair of parliament regarding a series of proposed amendments to the island’s Social Assistance Ordinance. The initiative, which the SER has been reviewing for some time, includes provisions allowing welfare recipients to earn up to NAf. 500 per month in additional income without losing their benefits.
The SER’s detailed assessment of the proposed changes highlights several key concerns, most notably the provision that would automatically grant assistance if the Minister of Social Development, Labor and Welfare (SOAW) fails to make a timely decision. The council emphasizes the need for precise legislative drafting and cautions against potential legal and financial ramifications.

While the proposed amendments aim to introduce greater flexibility and accessibility to the welfare system, the SER’s opinion broadens the discussion by carefully examining the socioeconomic, legal, and policy impacts these changes might have on the island’s welfare landscape.