The SADA union leadership crisis warning was issued by the president of the customs union, Edward Maduro, who stated that the organization could soon be left without a governing board if the government does not intervene to resolve ongoing issues affecting the union’s operations.
During a meeting with union members this week, the leadership of Sindicato Aduanero di Aruba (SADA) discussed several concerns that have been impacting the union’s ability to function effectively.
Long-Standing Dispute with Customs Management
According to Maduro, the SADA union leadership crisis warning stems from difficulties the union has faced since 2017, which he says are linked to the management approach of Customs Director Roderick Croes.
Maduro explained that these issues were already brought to the attention of the government in 2018, when the matter was raised with the then Minister of Finance. The union hoped that authorities would find a solution that would allow the union to operate freely and represent its members effectively.
Union representatives argue that the right for unions to function independently is protected both by Aruba’s constitution and international labor agreements.
Concerns Raised During Government Formation
The SADA union leadership crisis warning was also raised during discussions surrounding the formation of the current government in 2025. At the time, union representatives presented their concerns to Prime Minister Mike Eman and Minister Gerlien Croes.
Maduro stated that during those meetings, government officials indicated that a clear and formal solution would be proposed to address the relationship between Customs management and the union. However, according to the union president, such a solution has not yet been implemented.
Disciplinary Action Against Union Member
The situation became more serious last year when a member of the union’s board reportedly received a disciplinary action for attending a meeting with the Prime Minister.
Maduro described this response as inappropriate, noting that union board members serve voluntarily and are not paid for their involvement in union leadership.
He said the action created significant concern among board members and contributed to several members deciding to step down from their roles.
Risk of Losing the Entire Board
Because of the ongoing challenges, the SADA union leadership crisis warning now centers on the possibility that the union may lose its entire leadership structure.
Maduro explained that if the situation remains unresolved, the current board could collectively resign. If no candidates come forward during the union’s general meeting scheduled for June, it is possible that by July the SADA union could be left without a governing board.
Importance of the Union
Maduro emphasized that the current leadership does not want to see the union reach that point.
He stressed that unions play an important role not only for workers but also for society as a whole, helping to protect labor rights and maintain dialogue between employees and authorities.
SADA has continued communicating with the government and with other local unions, which have also expressed concern about the disciplinary measures taken against the board member. The union has additionally sought advice from labor organizations in Aruba and Curaçao and is considering taking the issue further, potentially even at an international level if no local solution is found.
