Subject: Justice Workers Demand Action Regarding Outstanding Landsbesluiten Since 2023
Dear Mr. Editor,
We, the undersigned Justice workers, wish to bring our concerns regarding the long-standing issue of outstanding Landsbesluiten (LB) to the attention of the public.
Many of us have been awaiting our Landsbesluit since 2023. We have remained patient throughout this process, but after several years, we believe that our concerns can no longer remain unanswered.
During the Town Hall meeting held with the Minister of Justice in May 2026, Justice workers were informed that another Town Hall meeting would be organized to provide further information regarding the process, the progress being made, and what we could expect going forward.
Unfortunately, that follow-up Town Hall meeting has not taken place.
The only information currently known to us is that approximately 11 to 15 Justice workers are still awaiting their Landsbesluit. From May 2026 until now, these matters remain unresolved. With 2026 moving toward its final months, this continued delay is unacceptable.
Phase One has been ongoing since 2023. We are now approaching the end of 2026. If it is taking this long to complete Phase One, we have serious concerns about how long it will take before Phase Two begins and when the remaining Justice workers will finally receive their Landsbesluit.
Pending Appeal Cases
Another major concern is the appeal cases that are still pending.
During the May 2026 Town Hall meeting, the Minister of Justice did not provide any information regarding the pending appeal cases. Nothing was explained about how many cases remain pending, what stage these cases are at, or what the affected Justice workers can expect.
We believe the following questions must be answered:
- – How many appeal cases are currently still pending?
- – Is the Appeal Committee still functioning and actively dealing with these cases?
- – What is the next step once the Appeal Committee reaches a decision?
- – Once an appeal is successful, how long will it take for a new Landsbesluit to be prepared and issued?
- – What is the expected timeframe between an Appeal Committee decision and the affected Justice worker receiving the corrected or new Landsbesluit?
These Justice workers have already been waiting for years. They deserve clear information about the status of their cases and what remains to be done.
Clarification of the Phases and Retroactive Payments
Based on the written response received from the Minister of Justice, further clarification is also needed regarding the different phases of the Landsbesluit process.
Justice workers need a clear explanation of what Phase Two entails and what its current status is. We also need clarity regarding retroactive payments and when affected Justice workers can expect these matters to be addressed.
The Minister also indicated that the phases would be changed or reorganized. This has created additional uncertainty.
We therefore need a clear explanation of:
- – What exactly does Phase Two entail?
- – What is the current status of Phase Two?
- – When is Phase Two expected to commence?
- – What is the status of the retroactive payments?
- – How will the retroactive payments be calculated and processed?
- – What will the new order of the phases be?
- – What will each phase under the new structure entail?
- – Which Justice workers will fall under each phase?
- – What criteria will determine which Justice workers are placed in each phase?
- – Will Justice workers who have been waiting since 2023 retain their position in the process?
- – What is the expected timeline for completing each phase?
We need a clear vision and roadmap of how the phases will be implemented. Justice workers should not have to depend on rumours, assumptions or incomplete information about a process that directly affects their careers, Landsbesluit and financial entitlements.
Promotions and Vacancies Being Filled by Non-Local Justice Workers
Another concern that needs to be addressed is the issue of promotions and vacancies being filled by non-local Justice workers, while local Justice workers who have served for many years continue to receive little or no advancement or recognition for their service.
It is difficult for Justice workers who have been waiting for their Landsbesluit since 2023 to understand how promotions and vacancies can continue to be filled by non-local Justice workers while long-serving local Justice workers remain without a Landsbesluit, promotion, or a clear opportunity for advancement.
This raises legitimate concerns about fairness, transparency and equal treatment.
We believe the unions should seek clear answers regarding:
- – What criteria are being used for promotions and filling vacancies?
- – Why are vacancies being filled by non-local Justice workers while qualified local Justice workers remain without advancement?
- – How are long-serving local Justice workers being considered for available vacancies and promotions?
- – What measures are being taken to ensure that local Justice workers receive fair and equal opportunities for promotion and career advancement?
This is not about questioning individual non-local colleagues who have received positions. Our concern is about the process, transparency and apparent lack of equal opportunities for local Justice workers who have served for many years.
A Call for Union Action
As members of WICSU, ABVO and NAPB-Sint Maarten, we demand action from our unions.
We expect the unions to actively pursue this matter on behalf of the Justice workers who continue to be affected by these prolonged delays.
If there are difficulties preventing the completion of the remaining Landsbesluiten, one possible solution would be to call the affected Justice workers in for a meeting with the relevant authorities. A face-to-face discussion could allow the outstanding issues to be explained, questions to be answered, and possible solutions to be reached.
This is particularly important considering that during the May Town Hall meeting, the Minister stated that she did not want anyone to have to go through an appeal process.
However, if continued dialogue does not result in meaningful progress, we believe the unions should seriously consider taking legal action against the Government on behalf of the affected Justice workers, whether they are still awaiting their Landsbesluit or have outstanding appeal matters.
After years of waiting, legal action may be necessary to compel the Government to address these outstanding matters and bring this process to a reasonable and lawful conclusion.
What We Are Asking From Our Unions
We therefore demand that WICSU, ABVO and NAPB-Sint Maarten take concrete action and seek:
- – A clear and updated status of the remaining outstanding Landsbesluiten.
- – An explanation for the continued delays since 2023.
- – A concrete timeline for completion of Phase One.
- – A clear explanation of Phase Two and what it entails.
- – The current status and expected start date of Phase Two.
- – A clear explanation of the new order of the phases and what each phase will entail.
- – Clarification of the criteria for placing Justice workers in each phase.
- – A clear update regarding retroactive payments and when these will be processed.
- – A complete update on the number of pending appeal cases.
- – Confirmation of whether the Appeal Committee is still functioning.
- – Clarification of the process following an Appeal Committee decision.
- – A clear timeframe for issuing a new or corrected Landsbesluit following a successful appeal.
- – Transparency regarding the criteria and process for promotions and filling vacancies.
- – Clarification on how long-serving local Justice workers are being considered for advancement and available vacancies.
- – Follow-up on the promised Town Hall meeting and confirmation of when it will take place.
- – A meeting with the remaining affected Justice workers if there are unresolved issues preventing the completion of their Landsbesluiten.
- – Clear communication to the affected Justice workers regarding the actions being taken by the unions.
- – Consideration of legal action against the Government on behalf of the affected Justice workers if these matters cannot be resolved through dialogue and the appropriate administrative channels.
We have been patient for years. However, patience should not mean that Justice workers are left without answers, updates or a clear timeline. As members of the three unions, we demand action, follow-up and transparency from WICSU, ABVO and NAPB-Sint Maarten.
We have entrusted our unions to represent our interests. At this point, we need to see concrete action on behalf of the Justice workers who continue to be affected by these prolonged delays.
We hope that bringing these concerns forward will result in the attention, transparency and action that this matter deserves.
Respectfully,
The Affected Justice Workers
Members of WICSU, ABVO and NAPB-Sint Maarten
