An Aruba customs training dispute has reached court after 32 officers challenged their reported exclusion from a course tied to career advancement and salary progression.
Officers challenge exclusion from course
According to 24ora, the officers brought the Customs Department’s leadership before a judge over access to the Kommies-Verificateur training program. The report said the course is an important step for officers seeking promotion.
The dispute follows what the source described as a long interruption in structured internal training. It said the last completed program ran from 2005 through 2008 and involved 55 customs officers divided into two groups.
Earlier training plan was halted
In 2023, a special commission was reportedly formed to prepare a program for 49 officers from the 2009, 2012 and 2017 cohorts. The source said preparations were nearing completion when the initiative stopped without a clear explanation to the commission, union or staff.
When the project resumed in December 2025, management reportedly proposed a mandatory assessment and participation by a newer 2022 cohort. Union SADA opposed the assessment and argued that the traditional seniority order should remain in place.
Capacity explanation is disputed
The report said the 2017 cohort was later excluded from a course that began in early 2026. Department leadership reportedly cited limited space and an inability to teach two groups at the same time, while representatives of the affected officers challenged that explanation by referring to earlier classes with more than 40 participants.
The 32 officers are asking the court to secure their place in the training program. The source did not report a ruling, and its descriptions of management decisions and internal capacity remain allegations presented in the dispute.
Source: 24ora
