Gumbs said members of the MOCSAM plans to continue holding meetings throughout the day with several unions and associations as they prepare to meet with the delegation from the Collectivity of St. Martin including the Sous Prefet at 5pm.
A meeting was scheduled on Friday when close to 700 people took to the streets of Marigot in protest of the high cost of living. The teachers have been out of school since last week Tuesday as they protest against the conditions in which they are forced to teach. One of the main concerns of the teachers is the high cost of living parents are faced with on St. Martin, reasons why they are not able to provide adequate nourishment for their children.
The teachers are also protesting against the dilapidated condition of the Lycee while the Colleges are lacking materials. President of the COM Frantz Gumbs had said on Friday that he is fully aware of the school's need and that they were busy working on the files. Gumbs also said that many of the work that is needed to be carried out at the school can only take place when the students are out of school.
One of the concerns of the MOCSAM is the road tax which they said was implemented illegally. The MOCSAM Association would be doing their best to make sure the COM suspend the collection of the road tax until proper procedures are being followed. Gumbs said right now the residents of St. Martin are being pressured to pay the additional taxes while they are going through an economical crisis.
He is calling on the local residents to come out and support them with their fight since they all would need to fight for their island's survival.
