Philipsburg:---A meeting requested by the Democratic Party of Sint Maarten to get a clear answer from the N.A./Heyliger government on the foreign employment permit policy was turned into a circus by the same government members who laud their government as being one of a “new beginning”.
The position presented during this meeting by the Democratic Party is the same this party has held as the DP administration, namely the need to revise and update the foreign employment permit policy of 2003 to be more in tune with the current day needs of the labor market on Sint Maarten. The tenets of a new policy being: expansion of employment opportunities for nationals and those already residing and working on Sint Maarten; dignified treatment of all workers; a streamlined and clear policy for employers; training of locals and advancing of Sint Maarten’s culture and values through familiarization.
The Democratic Party has maintained from day one that the policy as promulgated on November 12, 2008 and gone into effect on January 12, 2009 came about through tripartite consultation and any amendments to this policy should follow the same route, namely through consultation with the private sector partners.
Approximately one week after taking office and without any consultation, the NA/Heyliger government announces that it had decided to shelve the new policy; then it announced it had been withdrawn to review it; then the government announced they had reverted to the previous policy and then on the 6th of July, the NA/Heyliger government announced that the new policy is still in effect.
The opportunity for the NA/Heyliger to state its position on the foreign employment permit policy was given on July 14th, when the meeting requested by the Democratic Party faction was convened. However, what seemed to be most important to the NA/Heyliger members present was the fact that they were called from recess and could not celebrate Bastille Day. So they waltz into the meeting at their leisure, sign in at their leisure and what do we see?
Firstly, the NA member, R. Samuel, seemingly oblivious to the fact that he is part of a NA controlled government fires off a barrage of questions, ostensibly to the previous government members.
Then to top it off, the leader of the NA, Commissioner Marlin signs the speakers’ list as a member of the island council (!), put s his role as Commissioner and leader of Government aside, and takes somebody or some government to task, seemingly oblivious to the fact as well, that he is now “the government”. He talks of everything under the sun and some as a member of the island council, states his regrets when his time as island council member is up and briefly announces that his government will review the foreign employment permit policy, without giving any indication when and what happens in the meantime. The Commissioner of Labor, Mr. H. Richardson sits by without uttering a word with respect to the statements he made about the same policy in the press.
The Democratic Party came to this meeting of the island council prepared to lend its support to what it believes the government should do to return peace and tranquility in the labor market of Sint Maarten. The motion which the Democratic Party came prepared to submit and which is attached supports this premise.
With the action of the NA/Heyliger government the people of Sint Maarten are once again left with the words spoken by the leader of the NA/Heyliger government : “When it’s ready, you will know”. That’s a new beginning for you.
(Sarah Wescot Williams)
