PHILIPSBURG:--- MP Sarah Wescot Williams sent a letter to the chairman of parliament regarding the draft national ordinance on the change of the civil code and other ordinances in connection with the labor agreements or short term labor contracts. The letter can be viewed below:-
Honorable Dr. Richardson, Chairperson of Parliament,
Close to 6 months ago, the Parliament of St. Maarten received (informally) a draft of a national ordinance to change the Civil Code and other ordinances in connection with labor agreements (or labor contracts). In this draft ordinance, an entire new title (Title 10, Labor Agreement) has been added in the Civil Code, to replace the current section in the Civil Code. (see for your reference IS/233, December 11, 2014.)
The matter of abuse of the short term contract is also addressed in this change of the Civil Code, as are several other important labor matters that affect the workers of St. Maarten.
Through you I wish to request an answer from the Minister(s) concerned to the following questions:
What is the status of the draft law to amend the civil code and other ordinances to better regulate labor agreements and all that relate hereto?
How quickly can parliament receive this draft ordinance for its handling?
Honorable Chairperson, I don't think I will be acting out of line if I request that you add to these questions, that government handles without delay this draft in order for Parliament to bring this into procedure, as the matter has been on Parliament's agenda for a long time.
