A Chapter Closed – Aruba Labor Laws in Four Languages

I released it quietly. No formal presentation. No ceremony. Just a simple post on Facebook. It was only when I realized that it was the International Day of the Mother Tongue, as established by UNESCO, that I decided the moment was symbolically appropriate. And so I announced the Papiamento edition of Aruba’s labor legislation. With that publication, I deliberately close my chapter of labor law compilations.

This decision is not impulsive. It is the natural conclusion of a journey that began decades ago — with photocopies.

From Photocopies to Structure

When I studied law, there were no structured labor law books for Aruba. We worked with loose pages and scattered provisions. It functioned, but it lacked coherence. That experience stayed with me.

The first labor law compilation I published was practical and structured. It was not written for prestige. It was written because something was missing.

Over time, it was revised and updated as legislation evolved and jurisprudence developed. Sometimes the changes were modest. Sometimes they were transformative.

In 2013, labor legislation underwent a substantial overhaul. The previous edition became outdated almost overnight. Revision was not about maintaining a publication. It was about maintaining relevance.

There were many capable professionals in the field. But no one took the step. And for me, that created a moral responsibility. Once you begin building something that others rely on, you cannot simply walk away when the foundation shifts.

A later overhaul of the Civil Code altered article numbers and restructured provisions. The framework changed, and the books had to follow. Of course, I had a choice. But I could not let the mission down.

Expanding Across Languages

The original labor law editions were published in Dutch.

In 2024, English and Spanish versions followed. Aruba is multilingual. Our workforce is multilingual. If the law is to guide conduct, it must be understood. And now, in 2026, the Papiamento edition completes the circle.

This final edition contains the relevant employment provisions of Book 7 of the Civil Code of Aruba, the Labor Ordinance 2013, and the decree concerning working conditions and working hours in casinos and hotels,  all accessible in our mother tongue.

With this publication, Aruba’s labor legislation is available in Dutch, English, Spanish, and Papiamento. For me, that marks completion.

Constitutional Milestones and Closure

Labor law was one chapter among several. Years ago, I worked on the publication marking 50 years of the Statuut. More recently came the book reflecting on 40 years of Status Aparte,  a milestone that invited us to assess our constitutional, economical and other areas of development.

During my speech at the launch of the 40-year Status Aparte book, I indicated that after contributing to the reflections on 50 years of the Statuut and 40 years of Status Aparte, I was also consciously closing that constitutional chapter of publications.

That was not a casual remark. It was intentional.

The Papiamento labor law edition now marks the closing of another long-standing chapter.

Responding Beyond Labor Law

My publishing journey began with employment law. But when the new Civil Code was introduced in 2001, it marked a profound shift in Aruba’s legal framework, independent of labor law. By then, I was already active in publishing. Seeing the magnitude of that reform, it became clear that structured and updated material was again necessary. Practitioners needed clarity. At that time, Dutch publishing houses showed little appetite for Aruba-specific legal works. The market was considered too small. If updated material was to exist, it had to be developed locally. And so it was. Later came other works:

A handbook for members of Parliament and ministers, aimed at strengthening constitutional responsibility.

A smoking law guide, published in Dutch and English to help society adapt to regulatory change.Updates in competition law aligned with evolving standards.

Each publication responded to a concrete need at a specific moment. None were written for prestige. They were written because something required attention.

Seeing the Work in Practice

Over the years, I have seen these books in colleagues’ offices and on judges’ desks. I have learned that they formed part of the library of the former President of the Supreme Court. But equally meaningful were the everyday encounters. An HR professional referencing a section. A union representative discussing a provision. Someone casually mentioning “the blue book.” When legal publications become working tools, not decorative volumes, they have fulfilled their purpose. That brings quiet satisfaction.

An Ecosystem That Has Matured

In the early years, Aruba-specific legal publishing required individual initiative because external support was limited. Today, the landscape is different. I am pleased to see that professors associated with the University of Aruba, in collaboration with a Dutch publishing house, have taken an active role in working on the publication of the entire Civil Code. That is a significant development. It ensures continuity. It strengthens academic depth. And it institutionalizes what once depended largely on individual initiative.For that, I am genuinely grateful. The ecosystem has matured. And when it matures, roles evolve.

From Author to Facilitator

Recently, I have met several professionals working on their own manuscripts. Instead of adding another title to my name, I have offered to assist them, guiding their work from manuscript to printing press and into online distribution. That feels like a natural transition. From author to enabler. From producing books to helping others publish theirs. As I gradually transition to retirement, I am consciously closing certain chapters. The labor law series is one of them.From photocopies to four languages.From necessity to infrastructure.From reactive updates to a complete multilingual framework.It has been a meaningful run.

And I close it with gratitude, and with contentment.

I look forward to seeing you again next week.In the meantime, I invite you to visit www.lincolngomez.com, where you can find all my blogs and podcasts in one place.