Commission to investigate social minimum in Caribbean Netherlands | News item

News item | 17-02-2023 | 13:30

The independent committee, which will be set up in response to a motion from the House of Representatives, will investigate what households on Bonaire, Saba and St. Eustatius need to make ends meet and participate in society. This research is broader in scope than previous research into the social minimum. The committee also looks at the capacity of the local economy and at the way in which the social minimum is determined. Attention is paid to the income and cost of living of residents. In the Caribbean Netherlands, no social minimum has yet been established. The committee aims to present its final report by 1 October 2023 at the latest. During the investigation, the government’s efforts to improve social security in the Caribbean Netherlands will continue unabated.

Knowledge of the islands

Earlier, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment set up a committee to investigate the social minimum for the European Netherlands. That final report will also be published this year. The cabinet chooses to set up a separate committee for the Caribbean Netherlands because it considers it important that the members have specific knowledge of the islands and the economy.

The members of the independent committee bring together expertise from science, the Caribbean context and knowledge of the regulations throughout the Kingdom. They work at universities, social organisations, the business community and Nibud, among others. A number of members live or have lived on Bonaire, Saba and Sint Eustatius. The members sit in a personal capacity.

The composition is as follows:

• Mr. dr. GAE Thodé (chairman)
• Mr. G. Berkel BSc
• Mr. PRJ Comenencia MA
• Mr. BF El Hage
• Mrs SA Heilbron
• Mrs. CA Ortega-Martijn BSc
• Mrs. Prof. Dr. WL Roosendaal
• Mr. dr. A. Vliegenthart