Philipsburg: --- Owners of exotic clubs who are accustomed of bringing in dancers for their clubs were confronted with a major surprise that would grossly affect their businesses on Wednesday. SMN News has learnt that the head of the labour department Raphael Boasman has informed his employees to refuse all memorandums, which allows the club owners to change the names of the dancers coming to St. Maarten. One of the businessmen spoke to this reporter on the condition of anonymity saying that the civil servants at the island labour department told him that the memorandums are illegal and those signing them were not acting in compliance with the law.
The businessman said the labour department has accepted the document in the past, which he provided to SMN News. He said he does not know when the department found out they were accepting an illegal document, neither was he told what is illegal about it. Based on the sex industry policy published in 2003 only six clubs are allowed to bring in prostitutes while the others are only allowed to bring in dancers for their clubs, but the memorandums in question states that the businessman paid to process permit for prostitutes (animeermeisjes) instead of dancers. Another concern is that immigration has no competence over island labor and the processing of work permits, reasons why the labour department has refused to honor the memorandum.
The businessman; further explained that one of the major hindrances club owners face is the length of time the landing permits take to process which on more than one occasion has caused the dancers to cancel their contracts. He said the labour department charges $900 to process the documents for each dancer and this money has to be paid in advance. When the dancers cancel because the landing permits were not ready on time then the Chief of Police would issue a memorandum, which allows the business; to use the money he paid for the dancer that canceled for another applicant.
The businessman said some 24 dancers cancelled their contracts with him this year because they got another deal while waiting for their landing permits to come to St. Maarten. He said he is now concerned with the amount of money he stands to loose at no fault of his. “It is unbelievable for us to understand this because the ten clubs on St. Maarten are the biggest clients of the labour department.” The club owner explained.
In an invited comment, the Chief of Police Franklyn Richards said he did not know what document the club owners are referring to and because of that, he has nothing to say.
Another surprise the businessman said he was confronted with on Wednesday is that he was also informed that he can no longer bring in any dancer that is under the age of 25 and no older than 57.
The well-known businessman said he contested the new rule since his permit specifically states that dancers can be no less than 18 years of age. SMN News understands that Boasman is applying the rules of the revised labour policy which states that working permits would only be granted to first time applicants that is 25 years of age and older.
SMN News has learnt that when the news was delivered to the club owners they immediately mobilized themselves to deal with what they termed as injustice against businesses during a recession. The club owners also met with leader of government William Marlin and they provided him with proof of the amount of dancers they brought in this year that was under the age of 25. Marlin was also given copies of the memorandums that were once accepted. One club it is understood brought in over 55 dancers that were under 25 since the implementation of the revised labour policy on January 12 while another two that is owned by one person had the same amount. Asked for a comment on the ongoing issue Marlin said he is to discuss the matter with the Lt. Governor to see what has changed. Marlin refused to divulge any information on the issue.
ONDERSTAND RECIPIENTS STANDS TO LOOSE IF OFF ISLAND
Recipients of Onderstand (Welfare) who are off island for more that three months would also be loosing their benefits and taken off the list. SMN News has learnt that the head of island labour has made these changes without the blessings of the executive council.
In an invited comment, Commissioner of Social Affairs Hyacinth Richardson said he also heard of these changes but assured that his office did not instruct Social Affairs to take anyone off the onderstand list. The commissioner said he is busy looking into the matter.
In the meantime, SMN News have reported that Boasman has lost his mandate for the signing of work permits, however, the changes taken by the executive council has to first be ratified by the governor general. Just last Sunday leader of government William Marlin said they are still waiting for a response from the governor general.
Sources say that the executive council is busy interviewing several persons who would replace Boasman. It is understood that Boasman would at some point be transferred to another department. SMN News have learnt some of the candidates that were interviewed are those that worked in the department before are currently on pension.
