Already four of the employees who were on contract have been notified that their contract will not be renewed due to the latest developments. While the dismissal procedure is now underway at the Federal Labour Department for the other workers which amounts to 45.
It is understood that Tropical Shipping was providing at least 80% of the income at the St. Maarten Port Services which covers the salaries and other expenses for the 47 employees that are working for the company.
St. Maarten Port Services also filed an injunction against Tropical Shipping last week since they only gave the company 60 days notice even though the company has been providing services to them for the past 25 years.
According to the documents presented in the court case the company did not consider the long standing relationship, neither did they consider the staff and equipment, including the facilities the company has to take care of within the short notice. It is understood that management of St. Maarten Ports Services would do whatever is necessary to keep their doors open even if it means an appeal of the verdict when it comes next week. In case the court rules in favor of the St. Maarten Port Services then the company would withdraw their dismissal request from the Labor Department sources tells this media house.
Assistant mediator of the Federal Labor Department Kenneth Lopes confirmed that he received the request on January 30th and the process he said is underway. Lopes said the executive council will be notified latest today of the developments.
In an invited comment Carolene Buncamper CEO of St. Maarten Port Services confirmed the information but said due to the court procedure she is not at liberty to elaborate on the issue.
Pundits have it that this is another political and get rich scheme for commissioners since one of the commissioners is directly linked to Intermar who is now providing 90% of the shipping services on the island which has created a monopoly. One of the main concerns for companies that are importing goods to St. Maarten.
Sources say that even the expansion of the AC Wathey Cruise Facility has changed to further facilitate the commissioner of Ports Services. This they said have created a conflict of interest but no one is paying heed to good governance.
Already businesses on the island are crying out loud due to the worldwide economic situation and with 45 people loosing work would be another blow to the island. The commissioner of labor already said the only way to keep the economy on St. Maarten afloat is by keeping people on the job. However, this will not be the case at the St. Maarten Port Services.