Recent posts on Saba News

Saba Inaugurates Island Governor Jocelyn Levenstone

On July 9, Saba welcomed Jocelyn Levenstone as its new Island Governor in a ceremony marked by pride and reflection on his roots — including his great-grandmother Rebecca Levenstone, great-aunt Bernadette Levenstone, and late mother Alidia — and his career in the Police Force and Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard. MC Hazel Durand opened the event, followed by an ecumenical service and a performance by Child Focus’ Dynamic Dancers before the formal Island Council meeting began. Acting Governor Amelia Nicholson opened the council meeting, describing the Governor’s Chain as a symbol of continuity and public trust. Island Council members Vito Charles and Saskia Matthew then spoke,  Charles on the weight of the appointment process and the importance of integrity, and Matthew on the meaning of a native son returning home to serve. Commissioner Bruce Zagers echoed this pride on behalf of the Executive Council, and also noted that healthy debate is a strength of democracy, not a weakness. Island Registrar Akilah Levenstone read the Royal Decree of appointment, and Acting Kingdom Representative Jan Helmond administered the Oath of Office, praising Levenstone’s integrity. In his inaugural address, Governor Levenstone noted the symbolism of the date, his matriarch Rebecca’s birthday, and honored generations of his family, especially the Saban women whose quiet dignity shaped his values. He reflected on lessons from his career, saying authority without discipline is dangerous, and discipline without compassion is cruelty. He closed by thanking his partner, Victoria Williams, and his great-aunt Bernadette, then formally closed the council meeting. Celebrations continued with a traditional maypole dance, a steel orchestra performance, a toast to the new governor, and closing music from Roy Barnes, DJ Slim, and the Family String Band. Public Entity Saba thanked all who attended and helped make the event memorable, welcoming Governor Levenstone home. PES

Public Entity Saba acknowledges that the RBC branch on Saba remains temporarily closed

The Public Entity recognizes that the continued closure is significant for residents and businesses who depend on in-person banking services. RBC maintains responsibility for branch operations and customer communication, but we are actively seeking updates and raising the issue with supervisory and governmental authorities. Based on the latest information available, a reopening date has not yet been confirmed. The public entity has requested that RBC provide the community with an official update regarding the status of the branch. Should RBC issue a statement, it will be reshared through Public Entity Saba’s official communication channels. In the meantime, customers requiring banking assistance are encouraged to make use of RBC’s available digital banking services or contact RBC Customer Service for support and information on alternative banking options. PES

Jocelyn Levenstone sworn in as Island Governor of Saba

On the recommendation of the State Secretary for Kingdom Relations and Effective Government, Jocelyn Levenstone has been appointed Island Governor of the public entity Saba effective July 1, 2026. Acting Kingdom Representative (wRv) Jan Helmond swore him in on July 9 during a ceremony of the Island Council. With this appointment, Saba gets a new Island Governor for the first time in 18 years. “During the interviews with Jocelyn, he impressed me. He considers integrity and purity of conduct to be important characteristics of his professional and personal demeanor. These characteristics will certainly come in handy in the exercise of the function of Island Governor.” – wRv Jan Helmond.   Subsequently, there was an opportunity for the residents of Saba to congratulate the Governor. RCN

Dutch tightening ‘comply or explain’ policy for BES

The Dutch government is strengthen­ing its “comply or explain” principle, requiring minis­tries to make new national policies and legislation applicable to Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba (so-called BES) by default un­less there are compelling reasons to do otherwise. The policy is intended to promote greater equality between the three public entities and the European Netherlands while recog­nising local circumstances. In a letter to the Second Chamber of Parliament (House of Representatives) dated July 6, State Secre­tary for Kingdom Relations Eric van der Burg outlined how the Jetten Cabinet plans to implement and evaluate the policy, which was tightened under the “Aan de slag” (To Work) co­alition accord. The govern­ment says ministries must actively assess whether new legislation, regulations and policy measures should ap­ply to the Caribbean Neth­erlands and explicitly justify any decision to exclude the islands. According to the letter, the objective is not to impose identical rules in every situ­ation but to achieve equiva­lent outcomes for residents of Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba. The cabinet states that their unique cir­cumstances should no lon­ger automatically result in lower standards of public services or protections. In­stead, any deviations must be transparent, carefully justified and, where neces­sary, phased in to reflect local implementation ca­pacity. The government points to several policy areas where this approach is already being incorporated. These include healthcare, educa­tion, culture, housing, cli­mate adaptation, economic development, food security and public safety. The letter also high­lights continued attention to security challenges in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom, including de­velopments in and around Venezuela, hybrid threats, cybersecurity, organised crime and strengthening police capacity. The cabinet announced that it will evaluate the ap­plication of the “comply or explain” principle togeth­er with the governments of Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba. The review will draw on previous reports, legal analyses, discussions with island authorities and an upcoming study by the Netherlands Institute for Human Rights. The find­ings are expected to be pre­sented to Parliament later this year. To improve participation in the legislative process, the Dutch government also plans to make public con­sultations more accessible by offering them in Dutch, English and Papiamentu where appropriate. Offi­cials hope this will enable residents, businesses and local governments on the islands to contribute more effectively to the develop­ment of new laws and poli­cies. The letter further con­cludes that implementation assessments carried out on proposed legislation affect­ing the Caribbean Nether­lands have proven valuable. However, it notes that these reviews should be simpli­fied and better tailored to the realities of the islands, while ensuring that local authorities are consulted at the appropriate stage of the legislative process. Although the policy ap­plies specifically to the special municipalities of Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba, and not to the autono­mous countries of Curacao, Aruba and St. Maarten, it reflects the Dutch govern­ment’s continued focus on reducing disparities within the kingdom. The Daily Herald.

CARIBBEAN NETHERLANDS TO KEEP ITS OWN TAX SYSTEM

The site Dossier Koninkrijszaken reports that the Caribbean Netherlands will retain its own tax legislation, State Secretary for Finance Eelco Eerenberg has assured the House of Representatives. “The socio-economic circumstances on the islands, and in the surrounding region, mean that fully applying Dutch social security and tax legislation would be disruptive,” Eerenberg said, responding to questions from the House about the tax changes planned for 2027. “It would lead to substantial tax increases and heavier financial and administrative burdens for residents and businesses alike.” Eerenberg is nonetheless sticking with his plan to raise real estate tax on hotels. He argues that the reduced rate introduced for the hotel sector in 2013 can no longer be justified, citing strong growth in tourism, rising coastal property values, and the sense that hotels also benefit from local facilities and infrastructure. The government does not expect the rate increase to affect hotel profitability or employment. Dossier Koninkrijkszaken

Temporary Unemployment Benefit regulation for the Caribbean Netherlands

The Temporary Unemployment Benefit regulation BES was published in the Government Gazette (Staatscourant) on 8 July 2026. The regulation will enter into force on 1 January 2027 and provide temporary income support to employees in the Caribbean Netherlands who become unemployed through no fault of their own. Temporary regulation The regulation is temporary and will apply from 1 January 2027 through 31 December 2031. During this period, work will continue on developing permanent legislation for an unemployment benefit regulation in the Caribbean Netherlands. Until then, the temporary regulation will provide a financial safety net for employees who become involuntarily unemployed. Information campaign In preparation for the regulations’ entry into force, RCN unit Social Affairs and Employment (SZW) will launch an information campaign in the autumn. During this campaign, employers and employees will be informed about the scheme, the eligibility conditions, and how to apply for benefits. From public consultation to definite regulation The draft regulation was released for public consultation in February 2026. Employee and employer organisations, the Central Dialogue, the public entities, and other stakeholders were invited to submit their comments. The feedback received was taken into account in the further development of the temporary regulation. With its publication in the Staatscourant, the temporary regulation has now been formally adopted. The regulation is available for public inspection as of today and is publicly accessible. Want to know more? Visit the website of the Rijksdienst Caribisch Nederland (RCN) to learn more about this new regulation. RCN

Public Entity Saba and SEC Provide Temporary Relief with Increasing Energy Tariffs

As electricity costs continue to be affected by rising international fuel prices, the Public Entity Saba is taking additional steps to help reduce the impact on residents and businesses. Following the recent Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) determination of the maximum electricity tariff applicable from July 1, 2026, the Public Entity Saba and Saba Electric Company (SEC) have agreed on a temporary relief measure that will allow customers to continue paying the current electricity tariff through December 31, 2026. Under this arrangement, the Public Entity Saba will provide funding to cover approximately 50% of the tariff increase, while SEC will assist with mitigating the impact with the remaining 50%. This means customers will continue paying the current electricity rate instead of the newly approved tariff during this period. While this measure does not reduce electricity bills below current levels, it prevents bills from increasing in the coming months and provides relief for households and businesses while international energy markets remain volatile. This temporary support has been introduced to maintain the current tariff increase through the end of 2026 in response to exceptional circumstances and should not be viewed as a permanent or recurring subsidy. Although the underlying causes of these rising costs extend well beyond Saba’s control, the Public Entity Saba and SEC have chosen to act locally while continuing to pursue long-term solutions that improve energy affordability and sustainability, including further investments in renewable energy and reducing dependence on imported fuels. Commissioner Bruce Zagers states, “We recognize that many households and businesses continue to feel the pressure of increasing living costs. This increase comes on top of earlier electricity cost increases and adds to the affordability challenges many residents are already facing. By working together with SEC, we are able to bridge this increase through the end of the year and provide some stability while we continue pursing longer-term solutions to improve energy affordability and sustainability.” Additional Support Available Residents who may be experiencing financial hardship are also encouraged to explore the assistance programs that remain available through the Public Entity Saba. Energy Subsidy Eligible low-income households can still apply for the one-time Energy Subsidy, which provides financial assistance toward electricity costs. Residents who have not yet applied this year are encouraged to review the eligibility requirements and submit an application. Information on eligibility and the application process can be found in the accompanying infographic or by contacting the Social Services Unit. Home Energy Assistance Residents may also qualify for additional assistance aimed at reducing electricity consumption in their homes. Through the Social Services Unit, eligible households can receive support to assess their home’s electrical usage and determine whether improvements, such as replacing older appliances with more energy-efficient alternatives, may be available. These measures are intended to help households lower their overall energy consumption and reduce future electricity costs. “Government cannot eliminate rising energy costs, but we can take meaningful action to lessen their impact. The one-time subsidy and Home Energy Assistance Program reflect our commitment to easing the financial burden on residents and ensuring support reaches those who need it most. I encourage everyone who is eligible to apply. These programs were created to support our community, and we want to ensure that no eligible household misses out on the assistance available,” states Commissioner Eviton Heyliger. Residents who are unsure whether they qualify for any of these programs are encouraged to contact the Social Services Unit to discuss the assistance options available to them. PES