ORANJESTAD (AAN) – SEPPA Says Social Dialogue Framework Still Undecided, with Secretary General Magaly Brito stating that Aruba has not yet reached a final agreement on the structure or format for the proposed Social Dialogue or National Dialogue, despite the establishment of a commission to develop the process.
Speaking in an interview, Brito explained that the commission has already held several meetings, but no concrete or final decisions have been made regarding how the dialogue will be organized. She said one of the main discussions centers on whether Aruba should adopt the International Labour Organization (ILO) model, where negotiations involve employers, employees, and the government, or whether additional stakeholder groups should also be invited to participate.
According to Brito, supporters of a broader approach believe that professionals and organizations with specialized knowledge and expertise could make valuable contributions to discussions on national issues. However, she noted that the commission has not yet determined the final formula for the dialogue, and negotiations on the issue remain ongoing.
Brito also said the original intention was to identify and prioritize the most urgent issues before formally launching the dialogue process. While labor unions, employer organizations, and the government have each identified topics they consider priorities, she said no official list of agenda items has yet been confirmed.
Although she stopped short of describing the process as stalled, Brito acknowledged that progress has been slow. She expressed hope that the participating parties will soon resolve their differences so that formal discussions can begin and practical solutions to Aruba’s key social and labor issues can be addressed.
