Diego de Cuba, the union leader of STA, has expressed significant concern regarding the economic direction of Aruba. He emphasized the urgent need for strict control over the Airbnb market and a general salary increase to preserve the island’s middle class.
De Cuba traced the origins of Airbnb to 2007 in California, noting its evolution from an economic alternative known as “Airbed and Breakfast” to a business involving entire home rentals. He explained that while local rentals keep money circulating within Aruba, the current trend involves investors whose profits leave the island. This phenomenon, according to De Cuba, severely damages the local economy.
Addressing regulatory issues, the union leader criticized the shortage of government inspection personnel. Although he recognized the efforts of the Department of Economic Affairs, De Cuba stressed the importance of rigid control. He pointed out that having only a few inspectors for every 100 merchants creates serious consequences for the country.
Regarding labor, De Cuba called for all salaries in Aruba to rise, warning that focusing only on the minimum wage could eventually equalize it with middle-class earnings, causing the middle class to disappear. He also raised concerns about the cost of living, specifically questioning the composition of the basic basket and citing the impact of rising transportation and container costs on pensioners and consumers. STA urged the government to enforce regulations that retain capital within the local economy.
