PHILIPSBURG:--- The Ministry of Finance has successfully implemented payroll tax adjustments ahead of the June 2026 vacation payroll following concerns raised by Justice personnel regarding the taxation of certain extraordinary payments.

The matter was brought directly to the attention of the Honorable Minister of Finance, Marinka Gumbs, during one of the Minister’s monthly Finance Friday consultations, where several police officers expressed concerns about the taxation reflected on their payslips. Taking these concerns seriously, Minister Gumbs immediately requested that the Government’s payroll software provider conduct a thorough review of the matter to determine whether adjustments were required.

Working closely with the Wages and Salaries (Loon & Salaris) Department, the payroll software provider conducted a detailed assessment of the payroll system and the application of extraordinary tax rates. The review confirmed that the issue related specifically to the taxation of extraordinary income, including lump-sum settlements, vacation allowance, bonuses, gratifications, and other one-time payments.

The review also provided an opportunity to clarify a misconception that had been circulating publicly, including statements suggesting that regular monthly salaries were being taxed at the highest rate of 47.5 percent. The Ministry wishes to emphasize that this is not the case. Regular monthly salaries are taxed in accordance with the applicable wage tax tables and income tax brackets. The higher percentage applies only to extraordinary earnings and not to normal monthly wages.

Minister Gumbs explained that the issue originated from a lump-sum payment made in 2024, which resulted in some Justice personnel being placed in a higher extraordinary tax bracket. In certain cases, the extraordinary tax classification remained in place for subsequent extraordinary payments. While this affected the taxation of certain extraordinary earnings, it did not affect the taxation of regular monthly salaries.
Furthermore, overtime payments, bereikbaarheid (on-call allowances), and other recurring allowances received by Justice personnel are considered regular income and are therefore taxed under the normal wage tax system.

The Ministry also notes that the matter is case-specific and does not affect all Justice personnel. In some instances, employees received additional lump-sum payments in 2025, making the application of the higher extraordinary tax rate appropriate under existing regulations.

As a result of the review, the Ministry worked closely with both the payroll software provider and the Wages and Salaries Department to implement the necessary adjustments and safeguards. Particular emphasis has been placed on ensuring that extraordinary tax brackets are manually reviewed and adjusted where necessary in cases involving exceptional lump-sum payments. These measures have been completed ahead of the June 2026 vacation payroll.

Minister Gumbs expressed her appreciation to the payroll software provider for its cooperation and commended the Wages and Salaries Department for its professionalism, expertise, and dedication throughout the review and implementation process.

“When these concerns were brought to my attention by our police officers during one of my Finance Friday consultations, I immediately requested that the matter be investigated. I am pleased that through the combined efforts of our payroll software provider and the dedicated staff of the Wages and Salaries Department, we were able to identify the cause, implement the necessary adjustments, and ensure that this matter was addressed before the June vacation payroll,” Minister Gumbs stated.

The Minister also thanked the relevant labor unions for their constructive engagement throughout the process and for assisting in providing information that supported the review. While the 2025 fiscal year has been administratively closed and cannot be reopened, any over-withholding will be reconciled through the normal income tax assessment process when affected individuals file their 2025 income tax returns, provided there are no outstanding tax obligations.

“Our police officers and all Justice personnel serve our community with dedication and professionalism every day. Their concerns deserve to be heard, and when concerns are brought forward, we have a responsibility to investigate and act. I encourage all civil servants to continue utilizing Finance Friday as a direct avenue to engage with the Minister of Finance.”

The Minister further reminds the public that Finance Friday is held on the last Friday of every month from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Individuals with questions regarding taxes, payslips, or other financial matters are encouraged to attend. No appointment is required.

Minister Gumbs reaffirmed her commitment to transparency, fairness, and the continuous improvement of administrative processes to ensure that government employees are treated fairly and compensated accurately.

~198 Students Take Their First Notes onto the Public Stage~

PHILIPSBURG:---  The National Institute of Arts (NIA) is proud to invite the general public to the official launch of the Leerorkest Sint Maarten, a landmark program bringing orchestral music education into the heart of primary school life on St. Maarten. The debut event will be held at the L.B. Scott Sports Auditorium on Saturday, June 20, and begins at 5:00 pm sharp. Admission is completely free and open to all members of the public.

The event will feature students from three participating primary schools — St. Joseph Primary School, Sr. Regina Primary School, and the Methodist Agogic Center (MAC) at the Reverend John A. Adams Campus — as Groups 5 and 6 perform their very first public musical. For 198 young musicians, this evening marks the beginning of a transformative cultural journey. They will be accompanied by the NIA String Chamber -and Youth Orchestra. A special treat is to be working alongside of international renowned Maestro Juan Cristobal Palacios for this event with assistance of Mr. Neville James and Dennis Amajan and the other Leerorkest teachers, Jose Pacheco, Leroy Vlaun, Roelof Matthew, Gregory Kranenburg, Stephan Apianai and Steven Brown.

A Program Built on Access and Equity
Launched in January 2026 with support from Fonds Cultuurparticipatie (FCP) and Leerorkest NL, the Leerorkest St. Maarten pilot program was created specifically to reach children from families where cultural participation is not a given. Private instrument lessons are often financially out of reach for many families on the island. The Leerorkest removes that barrier entirely: participation is free, takes place during school hours, and is open to every child in the participating classes. The students develop musical skills, collaborative discipline, and a sense of artistic identity within a structured, curriculum-aligned program.

A Long-Term Vision for Culture on St. Maarten
The Leerorkest is not a one-time event. It is a structural investment in an equitable cultural future for all children on St. Maarten — running from January 2026 through June 2027. NIA's broader mission encompasses dance education, arts for social-emotional learning, and after-school cultural programming, all working toward the same goal: ensuring that arts and culture are accessible to every child, regardless of background or financial circumstance.
NIA would like to acknowledge the Republic Bank. 'The Concert' is made possible through the generosity of Republic Bank St. Maarten N.V. as part of its Power to Make a Difference Programme.

ORANJESTAD, ARUBA:--- At the 3rd International Ombudsman Conference in Rome, held from May 26^th to 29th, 2026, Ombudsman institutions, human rights experts, and representatives of public entities from around the world gathered to address how societies are responding to rapid social, technological, and democratic change.

The conference focused on the impact of digitalization and artificial intelligence (AI) on citizens’ daily lives, the protection of fundamental rights, and the safeguarding of accessible, transparent, and people-centered public services.

“The world is changing rapidly, but fundamental rights, human dignity, and accessibility must never come under pressure. That is why international cooperation is more important than ever,” states the Ombudsman of Aruba, Ms. Jurima Bryson, LL.M.

For Aruba, participation in the conference marked a significant international step. The conference provided an opportunity to actively position Aruba within the global Ombudsman network and to build enduring relationships with institutions from Europe, Africa, Asia, and North, Central, and South America.

In addition, relations within the Caribbean & Latin America Region were further strengthened, with a focus on intensifying cooperation, knowledge exchange, and institutional development.

Particular attention was also given to the role of youth in democratic processes, social participation, and the protection of rights.

A key outcome of the conference was the adoption of the Rome Declaration 2026, in which Ombudsman institutions worldwide reaffirmed their commitment to fundamental rights, institutional independence, and people-centered public services in an increasingly digital society. The Ombudsman of Aruba also signed this declaration.

Participation in the International Ombudsman Conference reinforces Aruba’s growing commitment to international cooperation, good governance, and institutional strengthening.

Stay informed about the latest developments

The Bureau of Ombudsman Aruba keeps the community informed through the following communication channels:

• Website: www.ombudsman.aw
• Facebook: Ombudsman Aruba
• Instagram: ombudsmanaruba
• LinkedIn: Ombudsman Aruba

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM) continues its efforts to combat gun and drug-related crimes across the island. As part of these ongoing operations, officers carried out a successful intervention during the early morning hours of Sunday, June 14, 2026.
At approximately 2:10 a.m., police officers encountered a small white vehicle driving in a suspicious manner. Upon seeing the police patrol, the driver sped up, prompting officers to pursue the vehicle for a traffic stop.
The vehicle was subsequently stopped and found to be occupied by four individuals: three males and one female. Officers conducted a control of the vehicle based on firearm and narcotics laws. During the control and search of the occupants, officers discovered that two of the suspects were carrying firearms. Two Glock 26 pistols were confiscated, along with a quantity of narcotics. All four suspects in the vehicle were arrested. The suspects arrested in connection with this incident are:
• S.F.R., approximately 30 years old
• R.R.F., approximately 20 years old
• C.J.A., approximately 21 years old
• F.K.D. (female), approximately 17 years old
All four suspects reside on the French side of the island.
The suspects were later transported to the Philipsburg Police Station, where they remain in custody pending further investigation. The confiscated firearms and narcotics have been seized as evidence.

KPSM emphasizes that these types of operations will continue as part of its commitment to reducing gun violence and drug-related criminal activity. The possession and circulation of illegal firearms remain a major concern, particularly in light of the recent gun-related incidents that have occurred on both sides of the island and on neighboring islands throughout the region.
The Police Force of Sint Maarten remains dedicated to safeguarding the community and will continue to proactively target individuals involved in the illegal possession of firearms, narcotics trafficking, and other criminal activities.
KPSM encourages members of the public to continue sharing information that may assist law enforcement in preventing and solving crimes. Anyone with information can contact the police at 911 or the anonymous tip line at 9300.