The minimum wage in the Caribbean Netherlands is significantly higher than most other countries in the Caribbean region. This puts pressure on the competitive position of the Caribbean Netherlands. This is argued by Koert van Buiren, director at Economic Bureau Amsterdam, in a contribution to ESB. 
In the Caribbean region, the minimum wage in the Caribbean Netherlands is only surpassed by the French territories; the minimum wage on other islands in the Caribbean region is substantiously lower. This can have an adverse effect on the competitive position in the Caribbean Netherlands. Improving socio-economic circumstances requires a balanced approach, which looks both at wages, but also at costs.
