A/HRC/41/44/Add.2 income.9 The lack of sufficient social housing is also an issue for persons living in poverty, especially for older persons and persons with disabilities. 85. The situation of employment for migrants, ethnic minorities and persons with disabilities was raised, as such persons may experience discrimination in employment and hold low-level positions in the labour market. Many part-time workers, farmers and flexiworkers who are poorly paid and find themselves at risk of ending below the poverty line are said to face similar challenges. Persons with poor literacy skills and those with a low level of education are also at risk in a highly competitive and intensive labour market such as that in the Netherlands. 86. Finally, the Independent Expert found that many persons from migrant or ethnic minority background are highly educated and skilled and would like to assist their country of origin in providing assistance and development but are unable to do so. VII. The Dutch Caribbean – visit to Bonaire 87. In Bonaire, the Independent Expert was able to see first-hand the historical, geographical, ethnic and cultural differences between this Caribbean island and the European part of the Kingdom. He was also informed of the political changes that have affected the inhabitants since the new constitutional arrangements of 2010 that ended the Netherlands Antilles and made Bonaire a special municipality of the country of the Netherlands. The country of the Netherlands now exercises direct authority from The Hague, just as with any other city in the European part of the country. 88. The Independent Expert was informed that there are significant poverty issues on the island and that many people are struggling to make ends meet. 10 The cause of these financial issues is often given as the change in currency from the Antilles guilder to the United States dollar and the corresponding price increases, the new tax system in force after 10 October 2010 and a lack of awareness among ordinary residents of Bonaire about income-related support measures. Vulnerable groups with a high risk of poverty include older people living on the State Pension (AOV), those with a disability that prevents them from working and single women with children. 89. At the time of the visit, no standards had been set for the level of provision of employment, income and social security, whereas this is the case in the European part of the country. Many of the people who work earn only the minimum wage, which is often too little to make ends meet. Since direct rule by the Netherlands was instituted, many people in Bonaire have found that their financial situation has worsened. Similarly, the Netherlands Government and the island municipality are facing challenges when it comes to improving the effectiveness of the labour market and expanding opportunities for finding jobs among local workers. The Independent Expert was also informed about the isolation of the island, as there is no ferry service between Bonaire and the neighbouring islands of Curaçao and Aruba so all travel has to be by air, at high prices. This can have an impact on the enjoyment of the human rights of residents of the island, especially their economic and social rights. 90. Since the new constitutional arrangements the level of education has improved substantially, although there remains an inadequate connection between education and the labour market and no post-secondary education is available on the island, leading to a brain drain of students to the European part of the Netherlands or the United States. Health care in Bonaire has improved since the transition, partly because of the introduction of public health insurance and investments in infrastructure, emergency transport, equipment and medical personnel. 9 10 Netherlands Institute for Human Rights, Poverty, Social Exclusion and Human Rights: Human Rights in the Netherlands: Annual Status Report 2016, pp. 8–12. Ibid., pp. 48–52. 15