The rule of law is the cornerstone for any constitutional state. If too many persons or companies don’t obey rules and regulations established by elected representatives it erodes the very foundation of a democracy.
This includes fiscal compliance. When such is lacking it means only part of society shoulders the collective burden that is government and its services.
Moreover, tax evasion goes against the equality principle by creating an unlevel playing field especially within the business community. That in turn jeopardises the kind of fair competition that characterises free market systems.
The same goes for social premiums. It is really a crying shame that the private sector owes Social and Health Insurance SZV an estimated 100-150 million Netherlands Antilles guilders (see related story).
Of course, government isn’t doing much better with a NAf. 85 million debt of its own. Minister of Public Health. Social Development and Labour Emil Lee (United Democrats) told Parliament the former National Alliance-led cabinet had failed to implement an agreement to turn the new Administration Building over to SZV and lower that amount, as well as a three-year plan to repay the rest.
Some of the funds managed by SZV have been in trouble since it took them over from the Curaçao-based Social Insurance Bank SVB when the Netherlands Antilles was dismantled per 10-10-10. Another issue is that while the health insurance premium income rose by 24 per cent between 2011 and 2016, related medical expenses went up by a whopping 77 per cent over that same period.
These are obviously structural problems that must be addressed possibly via the National Health Insurance (NHI) Ordinance that is in preparation and was already sent to the Council of Advice, although some fear it will significantly drive up the cost of health care and medical coverage. For now, if everyone just pays their fair share it would be a big help.
