Dutch internship pay law would not apply to Aruba

ORANJESTAD – A proposed Dutch law that would give students the legal right to receive compensation for mandatory internships would not apply to Aruba, Curaçao or Sint Maarten. The legislation would only cover the European Netherlands and the Caribbean Netherlands, consisting of Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba (BES islands).

The proposal aims to ensure that students enrolled in vocational education (MBO), universities of applied sciences (HBO) and research universities (WO) receive compensation when completing mandatory internships as part of their studies.

Rather than establishing a nationwide minimum allowance, the proposed law would leave the amount to be determined through agreements within individual sectors or companies.

Because Dutch education legislation does not extend to the autonomous countries within the Kingdom, the proposed legal right would have no effect in Aruba. As a result, Dutch students completing internships on the island would also not be entitled to claim compensation under the proposed Dutch law.

Internship compensation in Aruba would therefore continue to depend on agreements between interns and host organizations, with the legal enforceability of those agreements determined by the law governing the internship contract.

The proposal is expected to be released for public consultation next year before moving through the Dutch legislative process.