From today, Tuesday, companies in Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba (so-called BES islands) may apply for a contribution in labour cost related to the coronavirus pandemic (see related stories). The ones with turnover losses of 20 per cent or more can get a three-month 80 per cent wage compensation retroactive to March 13 for personnel no longer able to work as a result of the current situation.
The latter also means such employees are to officially be reported sick at the Social Affairs and Employment SZW office. Essential businesses still allowed to operate must therefore decide which and how many of their staff should be sent on sick leave to get the help. Nevertheless, entrepreneurs in these overseas public entities of the Netherlands at least have a pretty good idea of what their options are in this time of an unprecedented global crisis.
Unfortunately, the same can’t – yet – be said for autonomous Dutch Caribbean countries Aruba, Curaçao and St. Maarten. They are still finetuning their respective socioeconomic relief measures, but to a large extent depend on what kind of financial assistance and/or liquidity support The Hague is willing to give.
On Monday St. Maarten’s Parliament continued a Central Committee meeting with Finance Minister Ardwell Irion on basic points of the stimulus package. While the virtual session was not accessible to the public, one would assume and certainly hope further details regarding government’s intentions plans were discussed “behind closed doors.”
Mind you, the Kingdom Council of Ministers had asked for a unified approach from the three countries to facilitate matters. A joint plan resembling that of the Netherlands in certain key aspects including their payroll subsidy would have seemed the simplest and most effective response.
The problem is that in politics, common sense and logic are too often not the main criteria.
Note to readers
The Daily Herald considered it appropriate not to publish its annual “April Fools’ Day” joke this year due to the present circumstances. Be ready next time!
