ORANJESTAD, Aruba — Tienda Legal Laboral Results from the service’s first two months show strong public demand for accessible guidance involving employment contracts, salaries and workplace disputes.
The Department of Labour and Research, known as DAO, and Tourism, Transport and Labour Minister Wendrick Cicilia released the initial results following the opening of pilot locations at MFA Savaneta and MFA Paradera in May 2026.
Together, the two locations registered 251 new cases during May and June, while staff reported successfully concluding 171 cases across the same reporting period.
May Begins With 109 New Cases
Tienda Legal Laboral registered 109 new files during its first month of operation.
Staff concluded 72 of those cases, representing approximately 66% of the new May files.
The service also recorded:
- 307 telephone contacts;
- 135 email contacts;
- 103 new clients;
- 38 returning clients.
These figures indicate that residents used both the physical locations and remote communication channels to seek information and assistance.
Contract Terminations Lead Consultations
Employment-contract termination was the most frequently reported subject during May, accounting for 35 files.
Questions about the wording and contents of employment contracts accounted for 19 cases, while salary-related concerns produced another 13 files.
The figures demonstrate that many clients approach the department when an employment relationship is ending or when uncertainty exists about contractual obligations and payments.
DAO said 95% of the new clients assisted in May were employees, reinforcing the need to provide workers with timely information about their rights and responsibilities.
June Records Continued Growth
Demand increased during June, when the two locations registered 142 new cases.
Staff reported concluding 99 cases during the month, including 44 at MFA Savaneta and 55 at MFA Paradera.
Employment-contract termination remained the leading subject at both offices.
The results suggest that placing services inside neighbourhood facilities has made labour guidance more accessible to residents who might otherwise need to travel farther or wait until a workplace disagreement becomes more serious.
Service Focuses on Prevention
Tienda Legal Laboral represents a change from an approach focused mainly on handling conflicts after they have already escalated.
The service aims to provide employees and employers with information at an earlier stage, helping them understand employment laws, contractual responsibilities and possible solutions before disagreements become more difficult to resolve.
Its services can include guidance concerning salaries, vacation entitlement, employment contracts, dismissal, workplace conflict and other labour-related questions.
TLL describes its approach through five principles:
- Fair;
- Professional;
- Helpful;
- Consistent;
- Accessible.
DAO said these principles are intended to create a neutral and trusted environment for both workers and employers.
Mediation Can Help Resolve Workplace Disputes
Not every workplace disagreement immediately requires court proceedings.
Clear information about employment rights and obligations may allow an employee and employer to correct a misunderstanding, review a contract or reach a practical solution.
Tienda Legal Laboral can also provide guidance and mediation in suitable workplace-conflict cases.
The service does not guarantee a particular result, and complex disputes may still require additional administrative procedures, legal representation or a decision from the responsible authority.
Two Neighbourhood Locations Available
TLL operates from MFA facilities in Savaneta and Paradera.
The Savaneta pilot location opened first, followed by the Paradera office on May 25. The second location was introduced to bring labour-law information closer to residents in additional districts.
The offices are located at:
MFA Savaneta
Savaneta 121-F
Telephone: 523-7770
MFA Paradera
Paradera 145-C
Telephone: 523-7750
Both telephone lines are available until 4:15 p.m. Residents may also contact the service by email at dao.tll@aruba.gov.aw.
Intake Hours Announced
The service operates primarily through an intake system.
Staff will attempt to assist visitors immediately when capacity is available. When immediate assistance is not possible, employees can help arrange an appointment for another time.
The published intake hours are:
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday: 8 a.m.–noon and 1–3 p.m.
- Wednesday: 8 a.m.–noon.
Employees and employers are encouraged to bring relevant documents, including employment contracts, salary records, termination letters or written communications connected to their questions.
Results Show Demand for Accessible Advice
The first Tienda Legal Laboral Results show that residents are actively seeking help with employment-law questions, particularly those involving the end of contracts.
DAO believes the early numbers support its decision to offer services in community locations and focus more strongly on prevention, information and early intervention.
The department is inviting both employees and employers to use the service when they need employment-related guidance or mediation.
Further reporting will be needed to determine whether demand remains at the same level, how many disputes are resolved without additional proceedings and whether TLL services will eventually expand to other districts.
