Philipsburg:--- Despite not having an office space at his disposal and only two days in office the new commissioner of labour Hyacinth Richardson said he has some ideas on how to reshape the labour industry on St. Maarten.
Richardson a former employee of the labour department for 17 years said he is fully aware of the economic downturn and its effects on the island. However, he felt government has to be creative if they are to better the unemployment and the economy of St. Maarten. He said his vision is making sure some of those people who are not working gets back in the workforce. Richardson said he plans to see if the island government can pay some of the businesses to employ the unemployed. He said the idea is to make sure the salaries of the employee is given to the company who would train the new worker.
The advantage he said would be after six months of paying the salaries while the worker is being trained the company would then have to hire the employee who may have been on welfare. He said he cannot guarantee that government can execute his plans since he did not discuss it with the executive council as yet. However, he said he is fully capable of managing the labour department he considers himself to be full of experience in the labour industry.
As for health care he said everyone has to be healthy, it is important for him to scrutinize the department prior to executing. Richardson said he intends to place a lot of focus on prevention.
Richardson said he holds the labour and social affairs as well as health care, youth and women's affairs as well as culture portfolios. He said he had wish he had the sports portfolio but nevertheless he has confidence in the new commissioner of sports.
Richardson said he never considered himself an opposition member since he has been actively serving several sectors via his foundation. He said that he is the producer of one of the most significant culture programs on St. Maarten, the St. Maarten Multi Cultural Extravaganza. Richardson made clear that he would not be able to answer much questions since only two days ago they took office.
He did say that he have been looking at the integrated labour policy which was introduced in February this year and felt that some parts of it would need to change. The new commissioner said he would not itemize those changes at this time since he does not want to be held accountable for what he said prior to fully discussing it with the executive council.
