The purchasing power of residents in the Caribbean Netherlands—Bonaire, St. Eustatius, and Saba—is expected to decline significantly in 2025. This sharp drop is attributed to the termination of temporary policy measures and delays in implementing parts of the BES 2025 tax plan. In some cases, households may see their purchasing …

Dear Editor, I would like to draw attention to an ongoing challenge faced by the hardworking fishermen of Saba, particularly when it comes to the customs clearance process for fish exports to Sint Maarten (SXM). The current system for clearing fishing vessels in and out of Saba is not only …

Glenn Thode, Chairman of the former Social Minimum Committee, has expressed surprise at the Second Chamber’s decision to postpone the linkage between the statutory minimum wage and the tax-free allowance for at least a year. The amendment passed despite government objections, was intended to give time to develop targeted solutions …

Marijke Geelhoed approved the publishing of her last column on the site DossierKoninkrijksRelaties before leaving Saba for Bonaire. Anyone following the news knows that education on Saba is in dire straits—an understatement, to say the least. As yet another group of professionals investigates recent years’ events, more skeletons tumble out …

Efforts to address marine litter on Saba are gaining momentum as the Sea & Learn Foundation (SLF) prepares to launch a new initiative aimed at understanding and mitigating coastal waste. Information collected about the quantity and types of litter will be used to raise awareness, guide policy, and bolster litter …

On the morning of November 15, 2024, Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrix arrived on the island of Saba. She was warmly welcomed by Island Governor Jonathan Johnson and a group of primary school children who performed a cheerful welcome song. The Princess’s visit centered on themes of nature education, conservation, …

  Click on the photo to start the video of Princess Beatrix’s arrival on Saba as communicated by news sites in The Netherlands.

From January 1, residents of Bonaire, St. Eustatius, and Saba earning the minimum wage will be required to pay income tax, following the adoption of an amendment by a majority in the Dutch House of Representatives. The amendment, put forward by ChristenUnie, GroenLinks-PvdA, and D66, faced opposition only from PVV …