Suriname President cuts ministries’ year-end ‘social’ budgets

Last Updated on Sunday, 30 November 2025, 13:37 by Writer

Suriname’s President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons has slashed the budgets for ministries’ year-end socials from SRD$2.4 per ministry to SRD$500,000 as part of her government’s austerity programme.

“This decision stems from the government’s social responsibility and aligns with its commitment to an efficient and frugal spending policy. While taking austerity measures into account, this allows ministries to still implement their year-end closing,” the Suriname government’s Communications Service said on Saturday.

The government said President Geerlings-Simons cut the spending after consulting with Vice President Gregory Rusland.

The Communications Service said the reduced budget for year-end socials at government ministries would have nothing to do with the one-time payment of SRD$1,000 for civil servants and equivalents, people with disabilities, vulnerable households, and old age pensioners.

The Geerlings-Simons cabinet emphasises that this measure has no impact on the previously announced support for citizens.

The government emphasised its commitment to its country and its people, a stable economy, and effective austerity policies.

The financial bonus will be paid in December 2025. “The government is unconditionally working towards a sustainable economic recovery,” the government added.