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Curacao’s SER Director Curaçao urges ethical leadership and social safety at LVV congress

GENEVA — June 12, 2025 — During yesterday’s plenary session of the International Labour Conference (ILC) at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, Raul Henriquez, Director and Secretary-General of the Social Economic Council (SER) of Curaçao, issued a compelling call for swift and coordinated global action to tackle interconnected economic, geopolitical, and climate crises

WILLEMSTAD, May 28, 2025 – The Social and Economic Council (SER) of Curaçao issued today its advisory opinion to caretaker Finance Minister Javier Silvania on draft legislation aimed at reforming the national ordinance governing government fees, charges, and fees for use of public spaces (precario rights)

WILLEMSTAD, May 20, 2025 — On Monday, May 19, the Social and Economic Council of Curaçao (SER) submitted a formal advisory opinion to Minister of Finance Javier Silvania, currently serving in a caretaker capacity, concerning the draft National Ordinance on Minimum Taxation for 2025

Willemstad, May 20, 2025 — On Monday, May 19th, 2025, Mr. Raul Henriquez, Secretary-General and Director of the SER, accompanied by senior advisors, welcomed Mr. Arslan Chaudhary, Development Coordination Officer and Mr. Mark Thomas, Partnerships and Development Finance Officer in Willemstad, Curaçao for an introductory visit at the offices of SER Curaçao

Willemstad, May 5, 2025 — Misconduct and inappropriate behavior in the workplace are costing Curaçao millions annually in lost productivity, increased absenteeism, and employee turnover. Far from being a purely social concern, the issue poses a significant and chronic economic risk to the country

Willemstad / Guatemala, April 11, 2025 — Representatives from the Latin American and Caribbean Network of Economic and Social Councils and Similar Institutions (CESISALC) gathered on March 31 in La Antigua, Guatemala, for their annual summit.

Willemstad/Belgrade, April 9, 2025 – The Social and Economic Council (SER) of Curaçao successfully chaired the statutory Board meeting of the International Association of Economic and Social Councils and Similar Institutions (AICESIS), held on April 8, 2025, in Belgrade, Serbia. The session was co-chaired by Mr. John Jacobs, President of AICESIS and acting Chairman of the SER of Curaçao, who participated virtually, and Mr. Raul Henriquez, Secretary-General and Director of the SER, who presided on site in Belgrade

Strengthening the global dialogue on Decent Work and Social Justice

Brussels/Willemstad, March 29 2025 — On Tuesday, March 25, the Social and Economic Council (SER) of Curaçao, acting in its capacity as chair of the International Association of Economic and Social Councils and Similar Institutions (AICESIS), signed a cooperation agreement with the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC). The signing took place in Brussels and aims to establish a structured partnership between both advisory bodies of organized civil society at the global level

Willemstad, February 26, 2025 — The Social and Economic Council (SER) of Curaçao is scrutinizing a proposed amendment to the 2014 Real Estate Tax Ordinance, aimed at modernizing the island’s property tax system to foster greater equity, transparency, and economic growth

Willemstad, January 28, 2025 – During a special preparatory meeting on Friday, January 24, 2025, the Social Economic Council (SER) of Curaçao received a comprehensive fiscal and technical briefing from the Director of Fiscal Affairs, supported by a team of seasoned tax experts

Willemstad, Aug. 14, 2024 — The Social and Economic Council (SER) of Curaçao on Tuesday, Aug. 13, chaired a virtual meeting of the “Consejos Económicos y Sociales e Instituciones Similares” (CESISALC), the regional network of socio-economic advisory councils and similar institutions

Willemstad, July 23, 2024 – The Social and Economic Council (SER) of Curaçao issued today an advisory opinion on the initiative draft national ordinance amending the Pension Country Ordinance for public servants. The Chair of the Parliament submitted the opinion request to the SER on February 28, 2024

Willemstad, July 4, 2024 – In the wake of a hybrid board meeting of the International Association of Economic and Social Councils and Similar Institutions (AICESIS), SER-Curaçao, as AICESIS Chair, led an international workshop in Abidjan, Ivory Coast on May 30 and 31

Willemstad, July 3, 2024 – The Social-Economic Council (SER) of Curaçao issued advice today to the Parliament regarding the initiative draft national ordinance amending the Island Ordinance on the acquisition by ownership of public housing Curaçao (A.B. 1962 no.13). This advice responds to a request from members of the PAR fraction in Parliament

Willemstad, June 19, 2024 – The Social-Economic Council (SER) of Curaçao issued its advice today to the Minister of Finance on the draft national ordinance for the temporary regulation on remediation of tax revenues and the amendment of the 1999 national ordinance on Sales Tax

Willemstad, 13 June 2024 – Human Rights Defense Curaçao (HRDC), in cooperation with the Social and Economic Council of Curaçao (SER) and the Pan American Development Foundation (PADF), organised a successful meeting aimed at promoting an inclusive labour market

Willemstad, May 24, 2024 – Today, the Social and Economic Council (SER) of Curaçao received an extensive briefing from the drafters of the draft National Health Care Market Regulation. This briefing was provided by representatives from the Telecommunications and Post Office (BT&P) and the Directorate for Legislation and Legal Affairs (WJZ). The draft regulation had been previously submitted to the SER for advisory purposes

Future of social security in focus:
Willemstad, April 19, 2024 – At the invitation of the Social and Economic Council (SER) of Curaçao, Minister of Social Development, Labor and Welfare (SOAW), Ms. Ruthmilda Larmonie-Cecilia, on Friday, March 19, 2024, gave a detailed presentation on the recent research findings regarding Curaçao’s social security system

Willemstad, April 16, 2024 – The Social and Economic Council (SER) of Curaçao delivered yesterday a detailed opinion on an initiative bill to introduce a paternity leave scheme

Willemstad, March 26, 2024 – The Social and Economic Council (SER) of Curaçao issued last Tuesday, March 26, an advisory report to the Minister of Finance Mr. drs. Javier Silvania on some tax reforms, including a reduction in the profit tax rate

Willemstad, March 14, 2024 – The Social Economic Council (SER) of Curaçao on March 13, 2024, issued an advisory opinion to the Minister of Finance of the Leeward Island on a proposed national decree that seeks to revise the National Ordinance Fiscal Facilities for Investments (LBI)

Willemstad, Curaçao – February 8, 2024 – In a bold move for international social and economic cooperation on an institutional level, the Social Economic Council (SER) of Curaçao, currently holding the presidency of the International Association of Economic and Social Councils and Similar Institutions (AICESIS), has launched a groundbreaking initiative: the “Curaçao Presidency Roadmap Questionnaire.”

Willemstad, January 18, 2024 – On Tuesday, January 16, Steven de Lira, an experienced consultant, coach, and author of “Everyone is a Mentor,” visited the Social and Economic Council (SER) of Curaçao.

Willemstad, January 18, 2023 – A group of ambitious third-year students from The Hague University of Applied Sciences, along with their instructors, were recently welcomed at the Social and Economic Council (SER) of Curaçao.

Willemstad, January 12, 2024 – Dr. Hanifa D. Mezoui, the Permanent Representative of the International Association of Economic and Social Councils and Similar Institutions (AICESIS) with observer status at the United Nations Social and Economic Council (ECOSOC) in New York, paid a courtesy visit to the Social and Economic Council (SER) of Curaçao on Friday, January 12, 2024.

Willemstad, December 12, 2023 – In a crucial step towards improving Curaçao’s air quality, the Social and Economic Council (SER) of Curaçao has delivered an in-depth opinion on the new air quality draft legislation.

Willemstad, Dec. 7, 2023 – The Social and Economic Council (SER) recently received the book “Stop the Silence.

On Monday, October 16th, the SER, in collaboration with Human Rights Defense Curaçao, the University of Curaçao, and the International Labour Organization, released a Manifesto for further shaping an inclusive labor market.

Willemstad, November 3, 2023 – A technical meeting between official representatives of the Social Economic Council (SER) and the International Labor Organization (ILO) Caribbean took place last Friday morning.

A technical delegation from the Social and Economic Council (SER) attended a presentation on Proteus Ocean Group’s groundbreaking underwater research project on Monday evening, October 23, 2023.

WILLEMSTAD, October 18, 2023 – The Social and Economic Council (SER) of Curaçao today, Wednesday, October 18, 2023, presented its 2022 annual report to the full Council of Ministers of the Leeward Island.

Willemstad, Oct. 11, 2023 — A delegation from the Social Economic Council (SER) of Curaçao conducted a working visit to the Refineria di Korsou (RdK) on Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023.

Willemstad, October 5, 2023 – A scarcity of reliable and readily available data significantly hampers substantive socioeconomic and macroeconomic research in Curaçao.

On Friday, August 25, 2023, at the initiative of the Social and Economic Council (SER) of Curaçao, an exchange of views took place with Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas. The discussion focused on the draft National Air Quality Ordinance.

Willemstad, Wednesday, July 19, 2023, the Social and Economic Council (SER) of Curaçao issued an advisory opinion on the introduction of a deposit guarantee system in Curaçao. This advice was requested by the Minister of Finance of the leeward island.

Willemstad, June 20, 2023 – At the invitation of the Social and Economic Council (SER) of Curaçao, the Minister of Finance, Mr. drs. J. Silvania, last Friday, June 16, 2023, gave a detailed oral explanation of his proposed request for advice, which concerns a concept of a national decree, containing general measures, to implement article 39 of the National Ordinance on the Supervision of Banking and Credit System, also known as the National Decree on the Deposit Guarantee System.

Sorting of material heritage at National Archaeological Anthropological Memory Foundation – NAAM