PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (VSA), Richinel Brug, delivered a detailed presentation to Parliament outlining the longstanding issues affecting the Ambulance Department and the steps the Ministry has taken since assuming office in late 2024.
During the presentation, Minister Brug emphasized that the challenges facing the Ambulance Division were inherited, but have been actively addressed through assessments, consultations, and structured dialogue with staff and their union, WICSU-PSU.
Inherited Issues and Staff Concerns
According to the Minister’s briefing, key issues brought forward by the Ambulance Department include:
- Outdated Rechtspositie (legal status)
- Disparities in remuneration
- Vacation day accumulation challenges
- Need for updated and formalized job descriptions
- Alignment with standards used in Aruba and Curaçao
Brug explained that upon taking office, these longstanding concerns required a thorough review to ensure compliance with legal frameworks and fairness across government personnel systems.
Chronology of Government Actions
The Minister provided a timeline showing consistent engagement with the Ambulance Division throughout 2025. Among the significant milestones:
- August 27, 2025 – A draft covenant was introduced, providing a structured path toward formal negotiations.
- Ongoing communication and consultations were held to review staff concerns in detail.
- Despite a continued go-slow action — taken in solidarity with the Fire Department — Brug noted that the Ministry respected the staff’s position while keeping dialogue open.
- October 6, 2025 – The Ambulance Department expressed appreciation for the Ministry’s efforts and indicated readiness to begin formal negotiations.
A key pending component remains the appointment of a representative from the Department of Personnel & Organization (PNO), which is needed to legally and administratively advance the negotiation process.
Initiatives Already Implemented
Minister Brug outlined several internal initiatives already completed to prepare for formal restructuring. While the presentation did not detail each initiative slide-by-slide, it noted that assessments and internal reviews have positioned the Ministry to move efficiently once PNO participates.
The “content of the covenant, legal framework, and required administrative adjustments are already outlined,” the Minister said, adding that the Ministry is prepared to finalize matters collaboratively once all parties are represented.
Current Status and Next Steps
Brug told Parliament that the Ministry has made “significant progress” in addressing the Ambulance Division’s specific concerns. The final administrative step before negotiations can begin is the formal involvement of PNO.
Once that representative is assigned, the Ministry expects formal negotiation meetings with WICSU-PSU to proceed quickly.
Minister Reaffirms Commitment
In his concluding remarks, Brug reiterated his commitment to a structured, collaborative approach that resolves issues in a legally sound manner. He also acknowledged that the ongoing go-slow action is influenced by broader concerns linked to the Fire Department but emphasized that this has not slowed work on Ambulance Division matters.
“The Ministry has advanced substantially in addressing the Ambulance Division’s concerns,” Brug told Parliament. With the negotiation framework already prepared, he said the Ministry is “positioned to establish a formal covenant and move quickly and productively forward.”
