Everyone has the right to a normal life. This is also known as basic livelihood or an adequate standard of living. It means being able to meet your basic needs. This includes, for example: access to housing, healthcare and education. In the Caribbean Netherlands, however, this right is under great pressure. The high cost of living is a major issue. For example, finding affordable housing is difficult. And the government’s social security mechanisms are not organized in the same way as in the European Netherlands. Another problem is the limited access to public transport on the islands. On this page we will look more closely at these points and how improvements can be made.
Introduction of the social minimum in 2024 not enough
On July 1, 2024, the social minimum was introduced in the Caribbean Netherlands. This is the minimum amount of money a person needs to cover basic necessities. As of July 1, 2024, the statutory minimum wage on the islands was also adjusted to match this social minimum. This means someone must earn at least that amount per month. The Institute is pleased with this introduction and has advocated for it for a long time. But the government must take further action.
Less support from the government
Social security provisions play an important role in combating poverty. These schemes provide assistance to people in paying for basic necessities. Examples include:
- Child benefit and child budget. Child benefit is a monthly amount of money for people with a child under 18. The child budget is an additional amount for certain families with lower incomes.
- Disability insurance: a monthly payment for people who can no longer work due to illness or an accident.
- Social assistance benefits: a monthly amount for people who do not earn enough to cover essential costs.
Social insurance benefits are also important, such as AOW (state pension) and WW (unemployment insurance). Employees pay for these themselves, ensuring income after retirement or job loss.
However, residents of the Caribbean Netherlands do not have access to the same support as people in the European Netherlands. For example, there is no unemployment insurance (WW) and no child budget on the islands. There are also major differences in how people that are unfit to work are treated. Yet it is exactly these provisions and insurances that are needed to reduce poverty in the Caribbean Netherlands. The minimum wage is not enough for many families to meet their basic needs.
Right to housing under pressure on all three islands
For many residents of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba, finding affordable housing is extremely difficult. As a result, the right to housing is at risk. There are plans to build more housing, but these are often delayed. More concrete steps are needed to ensure sufficient affordable housing.
At the same time, not all rental subsidies available in the European Netherlands apply in the Caribbean Netherlands. Rental subsidies provide essential support for people with lower incomes, allowing them to retain more money for other basic needs.
More public transport needed
There is little to no public transport on the islands. On Bonaire and Sint Eustatius, there is no public transport at all. On Saba, a temporary project is currently underway to test public transport on the island.
The lack of public transport leads to high costs for residents who need to travel. Most people must own a car to get to work, take their children to school and activities, and do groceries. Owning a car also brings many costs: the purchase price, fuel and maintenance. But without a car, many people cannot get to work and thus have no income. They depend on an expensive car to meet the necessities of life.
The lack of public transport therefore has a major impact on multiple human rights of island residents, including the right to health, work, leisure and private life. More public transport is needed to improve the situation.
Other underlying factors contributing to poverty
There are many reasons that contribute to poverty on the islands. But underlying structural issues also play a role. The context and history of the islands are central and cannot be separated from these problems. The effects of the trans-Atlantic slave trade and colonial history are a key part in this. Other factors such as the small-scale nature of the islands, culture and population growth also need to be considered. Policies to address poverty must take these factors into account.
A broader approach needed
The right to an adequate standard of living is endangered in the Caribbean Netherlands for various reasons. According to the Institute, this requires an approach in which the government addresses all components together. The Institute calls on the government to carefully consider all relevant human rights: the right to housing, health, social security, education, legal protection and the prohibition of discrimination.
The government must involve residents of the Caribbean Netherlands and those who represent their interests when developing new policies. And it must consider the islands’ context and history. Only then can progress be made toward reducing the gap between the Caribbean and European Netherlands in terms of basic livelihood.