The Police Union of Aruba (SPA) has once again stood up for its members following a recent attempt to alter the payment policy for ‘Meal Vouchers’ (compensation/overtime payments). According to the union, thanks to their insistence and direct intervention, the Aruba Police Force (KPA) has corrected the situation, restoring labor tranquility.
The problem escalated this month when the SPA board noticed an attempt to deviate from the policy guidelines established in 2020. That decision stipulated that these payments were not going to be fulfilled, which sparked great discontent.
Direct intervention with the Chief of Police
According to the union spokesperson, SPA’s reaction to stop this decision was immediate and direct:
“I remember on June 4th, there was a direct attempt to change, or correct, what was the policy in 2020 by saying that the ‘Meal Vouchers’ would not be paid. SPA addressed the police management immediately, telling them that they were on the wrong track (‘fout bezig’).”
SPA reminded the police management and authorities that a formal agreement had been reached in 2020. This agreement was not only with the Government of Aruba, but also with The Hague (Netherlands), where it was agreed that the entire justice and government apparatus stands behind these rights. “So you cannot just come and take away from the police what they are entitled to,” the spokesperson emphasized.
Following a conversation and a warning sent via a message (“app”) to the Chief of Police, the situation was rectified two weeks later. SPA expressed satisfaction that the Chief of Police ‘straightened it out’ (trek e recht) and that currently everything is running normally again with the meal vouchers, thanks to the union’s insistence.
Security is the foundation of our tourism
Aside from this labor conflict, SPA made a strong appeal to all relevant entities not to forget the importance of our tourism economy. “We all have to put our shoulders behind justice. What do tourists come here for? The ‘veiligheidsgevoel’ (the feeling of safety),” SPA explained.
The union concluded that if there is no investment in this feeling of safety, and if it is not ensured that the force has all the necessary tools and capacity to conduct proper investigations, Aruba will not be able to achieve a structural solution for its national security.