Philipsburg: --- The United Federation Union Advisor Willy Haize is angry at the National Alliance led government who decided to put on hold the new revised labour policy. Haize said that the present government has insulted the people of St. Maarten especially the tripartite committee and their social partners to discuss the matter. Haize said there is an island resolution in place for the tripartite committee that discussed the labor policy.
Haize said he wants the National Alliance to know that they are no longer in opposition instead they are in government and they need to govern this island. “How can they take a decision to abolish the new revised policy and re-instate the old one, is beyond my comprehension”. Haize said he wants to know in what way the National Alliance would run this country if they are not going to be speaking with the social partners.
Haize said the purpose of the new revised labour policy was to protect the locals and the job market. He said the businesses are bringing in foreigners and are sending home the locals for cheap labor.
He said the policy clearly indicates that anyone who wants to work on St. Maarten must have some background education, a good standing as well as they must be prepared to integrate in St. Maarten’s society. The employers he said on the other hand has to make sure they provide proper housing for these people as well as they must pay their taxes and medical. He said now that the government has decided to put on hold this policy there would be an increase in crime, abuse and exploitation in the job market.
Haize a supporter of Commissioner Theo Heyliger said that he is waiting to see when Heyliger return what was his input in the decision that was taken by the executive council last week. Another concern for Haize is Heyliger’s stand point regarding GEBE. “I am in support of Heyliger but if it come to my knowledge that he is not working in the people’s interest then good bye to him. I heard him say over and over “his grand father taught him to be for the people and I want to see if he is in fact for the people”. Haize said he is not a fanatic behind politicians his interest he said is about the people and most of all in the labour market.
The executive council has decided to put the revised labour policy on hold due to the fact that several persons have complained about the policy. It is understood that the new government would be making the necessary amendments to the policy before it is re-implemented.
