Aruba’s labor authorities are considering a new organizational structure for the Department of Labor and Research (DAO) and the Department of Labor Progress (DPL), following discussions involving employees, the labor minister and the government’s human-resources department.
Labor Minister Wendrick Cicilia said the meeting focused on a possible DAO and DPL restructuring, including the responsibilities carried out by the two departments. The discussion took place Thursday evening and involved staff from both organizations.
Focus on professional and accessible services
DAO plays a central role in Aruba’s labor market by supporting workers and employers, providing advice, handling complaints and carrying out duties established under its formal mandate.
The stated objective is to help the labor department operate more effectively, with the tools needed to perform its responsibilities professionally. Officials also want services to become more accessible and closer to the community.
The latest discussion concerns an organizational change that is still being considered. It should not be treated as confirmation that a final restructuring plan has already been approved.
Earlier assessments reviewed
Cicilia said several existing reports and recommendations concerning DAO, DPL and their duties have been inventoried. The material includes assessments associated with PwC and ONT Rijksdienst.
Those reports evaluated how the departments could be developed and how their responsibilities might be organized to better support the labor market, labor policy and Aruba’s working population.
Employees included in the discussion
The meeting gave employees an opportunity to hear about the possible structure and discuss the proposal with government representatives. Further decisions, implementation details and any effect on public services were not announced in the available report.
The potential restructuring follows earlier changes affecting DAO services, including office relocations and community-based labor assistance. Any final plan will require clear communication about responsibilities, service locations and the transition process for workers and residents.
Source: Information based on reporting from 24ora.
