Philipsburg:--- The island council meeting to handle the position of the executive council pertaining to the revised labour policy got underway late due to the late arrival of the assistant Lt. Governor Millicent De Weever, chairman of the island council. After a half hour adjournment the island council received its quorum after the leader of government and other members of the National Alliance signed in.
Opposition leader of the Democratic Party Sarah Wescot Williams in her presentation questioned the executive council on why they shelved the revised labour policy which was implemented on January 12 by the Democratic Party executive council. Wescot Williams also hinted that her faction had prepared a motion which they intended to bring to the floor of the island council in its second round. However, that motion never got to the floor after the chairman postponed the second round of the meeting until further notice so that the executive council can prepare the answers that were posed by three of the four members of the opposition.
Wescot Williams also gave an elucidation as to how her government got to the implementation of the policy and who were the persons that worked on it. She said the policy aims at providing more work for locals since her government saw the need to curb the influx of foreign workers coming to St. Maarten. While agreeing that the policy needed some amendments Wescot Williams said her motion was to seek to have the island council implement the Memorandum of Understanding with the changes that needs to be made in the policy.
Island councilman Roy Marlin and Island Council lady Maria Buncamper Molanus also gave their reasons why the former executive council had implemented the policy and why they felt it was irresponsible for the present executive council to shelve the policy.
However, Island Councilman Rudolph Samuel asked several questions pertaining to the policy which is now contested, Samuel wants to know who the commissioner in charge of labour was when the policy was implemented. The island council man also wanted to know where the training program is for locals as stipulated in the policy. He further asked how is that a foreign work permit policy is going to benefit locals, he also wants to know which chapters of the policy specifically deals with benefitting locals. Samuel wants to know on what date the policy was discussed in the island council prior to its implementation. Samuel said while one hears about the students abroad and compulsory education the whole truth is not being told about the revised policy. Samuel said he understood that all businesses are not obliged to adhere to the policy and are receiving exemptions when processing labour permits. Samuel said if the information he is receiving has truth then the former government were involved in discrimination. He also posed questions about the programs that are supposed to advance the island values. Samuel said while several statements sounds good he wants to know where are the programs to advance the people. Samuel said during the election campaigns politicians are heard blaming the National Alliance for hating foreigners yet those same politicians are the ones that brought a policy which is aimed at putting foreigners who are living here for five or more years out of work.
Responding to the opposition Leader of Government William Marlin said that the island council has certain agreements during the island council recess, yet the current opposition felt it necessary to call for an island council meeting on the July 14th celebration. Marlin said in the past the recess had to be extended to give the Democratic Party councilors time to attend August Monday celebrations in Anguilla.
Marlin said very often the National Alliance and other political parties were blamed for not wanting foreigners on the island but the same Democratic Party who has been casting the blame are the ones who brought a policy out to get rid of foreigners since they are apparently taking over the work force.
As per the policy Marlin said the revised policy is under review and the government plans to come with a policy that would address the issues in the labour market. Marlin said while the revised policy dictates that employers have to provide adequate housing for foreign workers it condemns the present housing conditions on the island. Marlin said the labour policy as is states that anyone person requesting a working permit has to be living in a home that is no less than 25 square meter, while the emergency homes that has families is no more than 40 square meter. Marlin calls this hypocrisy since there is no one controlling the current homes.
The island leader said that based on that fact several homes and or apartments would have to be condemned since it is not meeting the required stipulations of the labour policy. Marlin said just recently he held a meeting with several business persons and he made clear that there needs to be an open and honest discussion with the businesses and government to address the labour issues particularly how local people have been treated over the years. He said the revised labour policy is not going to solve the problems that were created over the years. He said the perceived notion that this policy would provide jobs for locals is far from the truth. He said one of the things that need to stop is the abuse in the labour market instead this policy he said is creating more abuse towards those that are already employed.
Marlin said while several business people are saying that the locals do not want to work, the truth of the matter is the locals are being abused. He said locals who are well paid and has secured jobs are happy and are working willingly. He said right now businesses are exploiting foreign workers who often get a better salary than they get in their own country. Many of these people he said work extended hours to make ends meet. Marlin said over the years businesses have abused the six month contract which is geared towards seasonal workers. He gave example of the airline industry, casinos and cashiers are being hired on the six month contract while these are permanent jobs. Marlin said several of these persons cannot buy a home simply because they do not have a permanent job.
Marlin said he has encountered men 40+ years getting minimum wages while the policy is saying foreign workers must be treated dignified. Marlin said the former executive council has chosen to terrorize the businesses who might eventually pack and leave the island. Marlin explained while government has this policy there is no follow up to make sure the foreign worker whose application was turn down did not leave the island. He said this policy is even hindering young people who have lived all their lives on St. Maarten. He said the law states that when a child reaches 18 years their parents can no longer sign for them and the current policy is saying that a person has to be 25 years before they can receive a labour permit.
After the closing of the meeting leader of the Democratic Party Sarah Wescot Williams in a statement to the press said that they came prepared for the meeting. She said it seems as if the National Alliance island council members seemingly have their roles confused because now they too are posing questions. Wescot Williams said she also would like to know if all businesses are not complying with the policy and why they were not. She said she does not know who was Island Councilman Rudolph Samuel was questioning however, she expects his government to provide the answers. The opposition leader said she indicated on the Day of Prayer that no one can start a new beginning instead they can bring about a new ending. However, what see saw and heard at the island council meeting does not give her any comfort in the change the National Alliance/Heyliger government is talking about. She said the reason they requested the meeting was because they needed answers for the island’s people.