WILLEMSTAD.- ‘The Curaçao Refinery is working on two different scenarios regarding the Isla Refinery. One of the scenarios involves having enough work to be able to pay all the salaries until the end of this year. The other scenario involves maintaining a minimum occupation of workers to continuity, says the Prime Minister Eugene Rhuggenaath during a press conference. According to Rhuggenaath, the Government cannot guarantee the payment of the salaries of the Isla Refinery workers: “But we can give support and funds for a transition, but the Government will not constitute a guarantee for the workers. It is the employer who must seek to be its guarantor “. According to Rhuggenaath, Curaçao Refinery is working with Isla Refinery, so that Isla can guarantee the payment of salaries. “But looking at the importance of human resources, we have asked RdK, to analyze in case of ‘a worst case scenario’, if it can help to bear certain expenses, but not for a long time, looking at the supply of oil products for the community such as gasoline, diesel, gas for cooking, etc. It is important that the refinery does not close, but it is also important to maintain knowledge within Curaçao, considering that we are looking for a strategic partner “. Rhuggenaath explained that this is something that cannot be charged forever. ‘In certain circumstances RdK may try to load part of this. But according to the observation of our financial situation, the Government can’t offer any guarantee. ” Rhuggenaath explained last Tuesday that the Project Management Organization is in charge of finding a strategic partner for Isla Refinery after 2019. According to him, the Organization has written to more than 60 companies. And currently there are nine companies that have already signed a “confidentiality agreement”.
