Philipsburg: -- The Democratic Party faction led by former leader of government and commissioner of labour Sarah Wescot Williams said her faction is supporting the call of the unions to have the Brooks Tower Accord implemented.
The Democratic Party faction leader made the disclosure on Monday at their bi-monthly press conference. Wescot Williams said that while in government she had several discussions with both the Minister of Justice and the Lt. Governor of the island territory of St. Maarten who gave various reasons for not implementing the policy, which was ratified by the executive council of St. Maarten.
According to the Windward Island Chamber of Labour Unions who was part of the tripartite committee, when negotiating the revised labour policy the Brooks Tower Accord was an integral part of the process. Wescot Williams said the reason she concurs with the unions is that the revised labour policy was part of a comprehensive approach relating to all labour matters.
The former labour commissioner said this policy was to address the youth unemployment rate, unsavory business practices, as well as training.
Wescot Williams said the Brooks Tower was intended to regulate the status of persons (foreign workers) working and residing on the islands illegally. She said while the accord, which is not referred to as a “grace period or amnesty accord” was meant to give all undocumented workers on St. Maarten the opportunity to regulate their statuses. Wescot Williams said the Minister of Justice has maintained that he was not in a position to implement the policy for the lack of an organization, which would adequately handle the implementation.
The faction leader said they are joining those calling on the Minister to implement the policy, which was signed three years ago to grant the island a much needed clean up, which would grant legal status to those persons residing and working on the island. Wescot Williams referred to the revised labour policy in article 3-part 2-J) that stated that the first time applicants could get a letter from their employer, which must state that the foreign worker is and will remain outside of the Antilles during the processing of their work permits. This she said can be replaced by a statement of positive intent for the foreigner (declaration of intent).
This statement must be issued by the Lt. Governor of St. Maarten if the foreigner is already residing on St. Maarten. Wescot Williams said the intention was with the cooperation of the Lt. Governor those persons already residing and working on St. Maarten would not have to leave the island during the processing of their work permits. Wescot Williams said the Lt. Governor (Franklyn Richards) after initially agreeing to the approach felt that the resident permit should not dictate the work permit instead he believed it should be the other way around.
Wescot Williams said they believed that the Minister of Justice should act urgently regarding the status of persons residing and working on St. Maarten illegally, she said in accordance with the Brooks Tower Accord these persons should be granted residency whose employer can seek employment permits for them.