AVP Futuro coalition mocks the letter from 13 unions regarding the Rijkswet HOFA
Parliamentarian Endy Croes has taken note that the AVP Futuro coalition is playing games with the unions regarding the Rijkswet HOFA. Since October 27, thirteen unions have signed a well-argued five-page letter explaining their reasons for opposing the Rijkswet HOFA and for opposing the AVP Futuro coalition’s decision to hand our financial autonomy back into the hands of the Netherlands. We have observed that the President of Parliament and coalition parliamentarians have ignored this letter and are not treating the matter with the seriousness it deserves.
Meeting on the Rijkswet continued on November 10
The President of Parliament continued the meeting on the Rijkswet HOFA on Monday, November 10. Meanwhile, it was publicly known that AVP Futuro had submitted a motion during the first round to grant the government “consensus” after the fact to proceed with the Rijkswet. We recall that the government did not consult Parliament before approving and submitting this legislation to the Kingdom Council of Ministers. The government violated the process, contradicting the agreements of IPKO September 2022, IPKO September 2025, the Council of State’s “70 years of the Charter” advice, and carried out everything behind closed doors. There was no consultation with Parliament, organizations, unions, nor the people regarding such a sensitive issue. Thirteen unions signed a letter opposing it, more than 10,000 citizens signed against it, ten MPs vocally opposed it, and yet eleven coalition MPs voted in favor, allowing the motion to pass. In doing so, they are helping the government “correct” the error by granting consensus and thus selling our autonomy for a small bag of money.
Unions sent one of their two letters on November 7
On November 7, the thirteen unions again sent a letter to the President of Parliament urging for a meeting before the vote on the motion. During the November 10 meeting, various opposition MPs asked the Parliamentary President about this request. Unfortunately, the President proceeded with the meeting and the motion passed with a vote of 11–10. Mike de Meza of the coalition voted against the AVP-Futuro motion.
MEP sent a letter on Tuesday, November 11
On Tuesday, November 11, the MEP faction again sent a letter to the Parliamentary President urging him to heed the unions’ request to convene the meeting. On Wednesday afternoon, November 12, the President sent an invitation to the unions for Thursday, November 13 at 8:30 a.m. This can be considered a tactic — the unions had almost no time to organize themselves, being given only a few hours’ notice. Rightly, the unions responded with a letter stating they could not attend.
Meeting opened and closed immediately
On Thursday morning at 8:30 a.m., the President opened the meeting, read the letter from SEPPA on behalf of the thirteen unions, and another letter from Diego de Cuba explaining their absence due to the short notice. What drew attention was that eleven coalition MPs were present, sending a signal as if the unions had been “outmaneuvered.” The opposition strongly criticized that this is no way to treat unions or any group within the community. The MEP faction again appealed for the meeting to be properly scheduled so that Parliament can hear the thirteen unions in a public session where the entire population can follow via media. The issue of autonomy is extremely weighty, and perhaps in due course the eleven coalition MPs will understand the magnitude of the matter.
Press release: MEP
