HARBOR VIEW:----- On Wednesday, November 23th, 2016, the Representative of the Netherlands in Sint Maarten, Mr. Chris Johnson met with SER Chairwoman Oldine Bryson-Pantophlet, Secretary-General Gerard Richardson and the staff of the SER. Mr. Johnson was appointed as the Dutch Representative in Sint Maarten as per June 1, 2016.
After introductions, the conversation focused on the view both parties have on social and economic development of Sint Maarten. The education systems of Saba and Sint Maarten were discussed and the relations between the countries within the Kingdom, and how these were formed from a historic viewpoint.
The SER shared with Representative Chris Johnson that in the first years, SER focused on social protection policies to increase the quality of life. The SER submitted advice to reform AOV and short-term labor contracts, to introduce a mandatory 2nd tier pension for all employees, to implement unemployment insurance coupled with flexibilization of labor laws, and to start a new comprehensive poverty reduction policy. The last few years SER focused more on the economy: a diagnose of indirect taxation and how to increase tax compliance to improve the financial situation of the government, and how to stimulate the development of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises.
Both parties agreed to work together when necessary to improve the development of Sint Maarten.
