PHILIPSBURG:---- On Thursday, May 28th, 2015 the Social Economic Council (SER) submitted its first unsolicited advice of the year to government. In its advice the SER advises government to start a conditional cash transfer program called 'Boost Sint Maarten!' to reduce income poverty and increase human capacity development of the poor. 'Boost Sint Maarten!' is an addition to poverty reduction policies because two different surveys confirm that around 20% of the households (2,600 in 2011) have a monthly income of NAfl. 1,000.- or less. Poverty exists in Sint Maarten. Financial Aid reaches around 630 households (2013). 'Boost Sint Maarten!' fills in the gaps of the existing poverty reduction policies as an additional policy. 'Boost Sint Maarten!' would reduce income poverty and increase human capacity development through its conditions. Households with increased human capacity will be better able to fend for themselves in the future.
The SER defines households as poor when they have a combined income of less than NAfl. 1,154 per month. Recipients of Financial Aid can not participate in 'Boost Sint Maarten!'. The SER advises that all households below the preliminary poverty line which have been living consecutively in Sint Maarten for at least two years are eligible for Boost Sint Maarten, but only under certain conditions. Only if eligible households have children in the age of 15-18, or pregnant women over 18 years of age, and fulfill the additional conditions, then they would receive NAfl. 288 per month additional income for a limited period of time. If executed, the SER estimates that between 400 and 540 households would be reached by 'Boost Sint Maarten' yearly. If the conditions are not met, the households will not receive an additional income.
The healthcare condition mandates that pregnant women in poor households must report to Sint Maarten Medical Center within three months after conception, they must follow the nutrition and other instructions of the health care professional, and they must make use of the maternity care service directly after birth.
The education condition mandates that the children in poor households in the age of 15, 16, 17, and 18 must participate in school; no drop-outs. The 15-years-olds and heads of households must participate in a family planning course. The parents of 16-years-olds must participate in an active parenting course. If deemed necessary by the school, and if children repeat a grade, those children must participate in a life-skill course. The costs of the pregnancy healthcare and the courses are paid for by Boost Sint Maarten. The SER believes that if 'Boost Sint Maarten!' would be executed, poverty will be reduced, and the lower income groups will have a better chance at social economic development.
After the advice is published in the National Gazette, the SER will make the advice available to the public through its website www.sersxm.org
