ORANJESTAD (AAN) – The situation of Arubus workers has been ongoing for quite some time. Despite several attempts to remedy the situation, no solution has yet been found. According to Arubus, the company is struggling financially and cannot generate enough revenue to cover the astronomical debts accumulated over the years. However, for the workers, this should not be an excuse. They do not have control over how the state-owned company, which is a public entity, is managed.
Ms. Magaly Brito from SEPA (the union representing workers) emphasized that workers have rights, including the right to negotiate a collective contract. For many years, this issue has been unresolved. She mentioned that, precisely because the company isn’t generating enough, workers should be entitled to advances, not only on their working conditions but also regarding the ongoing discussions about the salary structure imposed by the company, which has left the workers behind.
Ms. Brito noted that SEPA has had discussions with two different ministers over the past two administrations. In conversations with former Minister Arends, SEPA found agreement on the issues. Former Minister Arends sought an independent party and acknowledged that the salary structure is a subject of collective bargaining, and that an employer cannot simply impose it.
Over time, the company provided a temporary solution, offering an opportunity for both parties to return to the table and explore potential solutions. However, Ms. Brito mentioned that this hasn’t been resolved, and the company continues to impose what it believes is the right solution.
Former Minister Arends suggested that Arubus and SEPA meet to reach a solution regarding their differences. SEPA sent a letter to the government to inform them of potential solutions. As the sole shareholder of Arubus, former Minister Arends informed SEPA that the government would allocate funds in the Aruba national budget to resolve the workers’ issues.
After the change in government, SEPA warned the new administration that this commitment had been left pending by the previous minister and that the government must honor it. However, no action has been taken. The government has not made funds available to resolve the Arubus Workers Issues. SEPA is still pushing for a solution.
“It is the ethical and moral responsibility of Aruba to allocate funds to solve the ongoing problems that have been waiting for years. It is not a question of workers suddenly demanding an increase overnight. They have been waiting for a final solution for many years,” Ms. Brito concluded.
