WILLEMSTAD – The chairman of the Curaçao Restaurant Association (CRA), Tarzeno ‘Zeno’ Circkens, is urging the government to establish a comprehensive migration policy to determine who it wants to bring to the island. As the hospitality sector strives to maintain high service standards, Circkens emphasizes that such goals must be supported by clear and structured governmental action. 

Circkens pointed out that when foreign workers are recruited, they inevitably become part of Curaçao’s wider community. “It’s important that the government identifies which countries it intends to attract workers from,” he said, highlighting the need for alignment between labor demands and community integration. 

His remarks come in response to last week’s government press conference, during which the easing of the moratorium on certain job categories was announced. This policy change will allow employers to hire foreign labor for a broader range of professions, a move largely driven by the rapid growth in the tourism sector. 

With the moratorium now relaxed, Circkens believes it's essential to initiate discussions with the Minister of Justice to revise procedures surrounding work and residence permits. “This process needs to be faster,” he stated, noting that delays in paperwork can hinder the hospitality industry’s ability to meet demand. 

The CRA's call for a targeted migration framework reflects growing concerns among local businesses that labor shortages could impact service quality, especially as Curaçao continues to attract more international visitors.