Saba News News and Information from Saba Island, Dutch Caribbean

The Dutch government will provide further details on its ap­proach to tackling poverty in the Caribbean Netherlands in early February. Howev­er, concrete decisions will not be made until March or April, when the spring budget amendment (Voor­jaarsnota) is presented. This was revealed on Wednesday during responses from State Secretaries Zsolt …

The purchasing power of everyone on Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba will definitively decline as of January 1. For minimum income even up to 10%, according to Nibud’s calculations. Tonight, a large (right-wing) majority in the House of Representatives voted against the proposal of MP Don Ceder (ChristenUnie) to prevent …

The Island Council of Saba is visiting the Netherlands from December 10 to 13, 2024, to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Charter of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. December 15, 2024, marks seventy years since Queen Juliana signed the charter, a pivotal event that redefined relations between the Netherlands, …

The Caribbean Netherlands experienced notable departure rates among new arrivals, with Saba, St. Eu­statius and Bonaire all showing high turnover within seven years. This trend was most pronounced among newcomers from the Eu­ropean Netherlands. Between 2011 and 2016, ap­proximately 8,700 people from outside the Caribbean region of the Kingdom of …

A debate in the Second Chamber Committee yesterday on Kingdom Relations with State Secretaries Zsolt Szabo (BZK) and Jurgen Nobel (SZW) has failed to provide clarity on how the government plans to address the purchasing power decline for minimum-income households in the Caribbean Netherlands. The discussion centered on the report “A …

On Tuesday, December 10, State Secretary Zsolt Szabó of Kingdom Relations and Digitalization signed a memorandum of understanding to support the leadership and governance program for Bonaire, St. Eustatius, and Saba. Szabó formalized the agreements with the island governors of Bonaire, St. Eustatius, and Saba, alongside representatives from professional associations …

The Public Entity Saba wishes to inform the general public that culling of non-native iguanas will take place from December 12th, 2024. Non-native iguanas are a threat to Saba’s nature and biodiversity, as they outcompete the native Saba Black Iguana and can carry pests and diseases that can be transferred to …

The coali­tion parties PVV and VVD have emphasized the need for structural price reduc­tions in the Caribbean Netherlands as the primary solution to combat poverty, showing little support for subsidies as a measure. This stance was evident during a recent debate on the cost of living in Bonaire, St. Eustatius, …

“Residents of the Caribbean Netherlands must have a meaningful say in decisions that directly impact their lives. What concrete steps is the State Secretary taking to ensure their voices are heard and reflected in policy?” asked Member of Parliament Faith Bruyning (NSC) during today’s debate in the Second Chamber on …

“Burden or Benefit?” is the title of a new compilation in which forty stakeholders from across the Kingdom share their perspectives on the significance of the Kingdom Charter (Statuut), which will mark its 70th anniversary on December 15. Compilers René Zwart and Glenn Thodé chose a broader approach than focusing …

Arrest assault with a weapon On Sunday, the 8th of December, around 3:35 AM, a 43-year-old woman with the initials J.S.R. was arrested on Peak Street on Saba for assault with a weapon, vandalism, and threat. The arrested suspect argued with a man during which both assaulted each other with …

The site DossierKoninkrijksrelaties reports that police staff shortages hamper response to domestic violence in the Caribbean Netherlands. A critical barrier to effectively addressing domestic violence in the Caribbean Netherlands is staff shortages within the police force, according to a recent report by the Council for Law Enforcement. Key Challenges Identified: Capacity …

Care and Youth Caribbean Netherlands ZJCN has announced that, as of January 1, 2025, the health insurance entitlements package for residents of Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba (the BES is­lands) will be amended. The BES Health Insurance Entitlements Regulation RazBES outlines which healthcare services are covered for ZJCN policyholders. Starting …

Residents and visi­tors to Saba participated in the 49th Saba Day ceremony last Friday. The theme was, “One island, rich in culture, shaped by diversity and rooted in heritage”. This year’s Saba Day awards were awarded to notable service teams. Gina Hassell, Appolina Gumbs, and Joy-Ann Robinson were honored as …

Last week, the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) received an additional financial contribution from the National Postcode Lottery. This funding is in addition to their annual €500,000 multi-year contribution. The extra funds are crucial for DCNA’s work and will be used to protect and restore natural areas in the Caribbean part of …