- Late December 2010 Minister Heyliger stated that the airport is in a "very good financial position" and is mentioning making new investments for the high-end visitor.
- Answering questions from MP Pantophlet early March 2011, Minister Shigemoto is stating that it would not be wise to sell shares of government owned companies to balance the 2011 budget. It would not be a structural solution.
At the same time, the employees at the airport haven't received any increase comparable with the increase of the indexation figures over the last couple of years (2006 & 2007 2,3% - 2008 4,6% - 2009 0,7% and 2010 3,2% and with the increase in ToT and gasoline prices and slow economic growth we can now expect a tremendous increase in the indexation figure for 2011). The CLA at the airport has expired as of December 31, 2010. Negotiations will soon take place for another CLA.
The dollar that the airport has, seems to be going into the direction of investments and pay-out of dividends to government. Is it justifiable to have a "wage freeze" for the workers at the airport? The civil servants and teachers have gotten their 3,3% (5,5% total) increase of their salaries based on the fact that the burden of balancing a budget should be carried by all and not a few. I know that our leaders sold us the idea that there would be money in abundance when it would not be sent to Curacao. I also understand that investments are needed to push for economic growth.
Based on the above mentioned I conclude that the employees at the airport deserve their increase in salaries in the new CLA and should government show their competence by looking for other ways to increase their revenues and cut their expenses.
I am referring in this article to the employees working at the airport, but has government taken notice of the many labor disputes in 2011? Are all laborers wrong? Are all employers wrong? Everybody is hurting "big time", but our "representatives" are flying all over the place and wasting our money while collecting fat salaries. In another article I will elaborate on the cost of living, but for now I say to our "representatives": when you come back from your un-deserved vacation, start working for your money!!!
Have a great day,
Sjaoel "Shooz" Richardson
