Representatives of the Social Economic Council (SER) conducted a pleasant and constructive meeting with the Prime Minister on Wednesday, December 5. On this occasion, a solicited SER advice entitled "The AOV system made Affordable, Sustainable and Equitable" was submitted. This advice pertains to a policy plan drafted by the government's Steering group on pension reform. The policy paper dealt with proposed measures to reform Sint Maarten's AOV entitlement system, and ensure the financial health of the AOV fund in the long run. In the advice, the SER gave their own view on the course to be followed to achieve these goals, suggesting some important modifications to the proposed AOV changes. The document will be available on the SER website www.sersxm.org as soon as it is released for the general public.
Chairman René Richardson headed the SER group, accompanied by business sector representative Eveline Henriquez-Dijkhoffz and labour union delegate William Reed. The council members were supported by Secretary-general Gerard Richardson and senior policy advisor Arjen Alberts.
The SER delegation made use of the opportunity to discuss a number of practical issues related to the status of the council as a new and developing entity in the constitutional structure of country Sint Maarten. It was established that some procedures regarding communication between SER and government regarding the submission of advice to government and the reply or feedback from government back to the SER need to be further elaborated.
The topics included questions related to the SER being an independent advisory body, while at the same time being part of the government apparatus and being accountable to government. Some procedural matters that came to light after establishment of the SER were also brought to the fore, and practical appointments were made to address these matters further.
The Prime Minister assured the SER of her continued commitment to the position of the SER in our constitutional structure and stressed the added value of the SER in our policy making and legislative processes. Further anchoring of the position of the SER in our constitutional framework will be reviewed.
In conclusion, the intention was expressed from both sides to engage in regular informal meetings to exchange information and enhance communication.
