PHILIPSBURG:--- A number of 2012 advices by the Social Economic Council (SER) are now available for the general public for the first time, in accordance with the SER rules on publication.
Notably, the unsolicited advice on crime prevention entitled 'The need for community based crime prevention programs' is now available. This policy topic was deemed eligible for unsolicited advice by the Social Economic Council because the social and economic costs of crime undermine the quality of life and put a strain on the costs of doing business and the investment climate. The advice describes the level of violent and petty crimes and the social and economic costs these crimes produce using local data. This advice proposes the introduction of a prevention program called 'Communities That Care' to prevent crime. This prevention program is readily available and can be tailored to each different neighborhood in Sint Maarten starting in St. Peters, Cole-Bay and Dutch Quarter making use of existing community boards and community helpdesks. The advice was submitted to government and discussed with the Honorable Prime-Minister Sarah Wescot-Williams on October 17th.
An earlier advice on an initiative draft ordinance on the abuse of temporary labor contracts is now published as well. This draft ordinance originated in parliament in 2011, but was submitted for SER advice in June 2012. The following advice was submitted to the vice-chairman of parliament MP. Romaine Laville during a meeting on the 18th of September and to Honorable Prime-Minister S. Wescot-Williams the same day. The advice tackles the rules on dismissal of employees and on the dissolution of labor contracts, permanent education and the needs of the labor market, while at the same time addressing the job security and quality of life guarantees for employees. The advice further contains an analysis of global trends in the labor market and the current legal framework regarding labor contracts in Sint Maarten.
Finally, a letter of advice pertaining to the need to elevate the Philipsburg Jubilee Library to the status of 'National Library' of Sint Maarten is among the newly available documents as well. In closing the SER has provided government with a total of five advices for this year, from the five advices, three were solicited and two unsolicited. As the SER looks ahead to 2013, the council looks forward to receiving an increased amount of solicited advice request in the New Year.
All SER documents mentioned above, and many more, are available through the SER website www.sersxm.org.