~ Wants to meet with Members of Parliament. ~

PHILIPSBURG: --- Prisoners at Pointe Blanche Prison are currently on strike. They demand to meet with Members of Parliament to address the issues affecting them. The strike began on November 18th, 2024.
SMN News has been reliably informed that the prisoners are contesting the unfair treatment they are confronted with at the House of Detention on St. Maarten.
According to information provided to SMN News, a prisoner who has a genetic disease and is going blind began the protest since he was denied the opportunity to go home on an Ankle Bracelet.
Some of the prisoners' concerns are the unfair treatment they are receiving and the overpopulation of the Pointe Blanche House of Detention. They also demand that they get the same rights as the other ABC islands, such as conjugal visits and access to cellular phones, since prisoners in Curacao are allowed to have cellular phones and conjugal visits. They intend to demand that their human rights are respected while ensuring doctors are available at the facility on weekends.
Research conducted by SMN News shows that the prisoner in question was born in St. Maarten but has no legal status on the island.
SMN News research shows the undocumented prisoner who has been in contact with the Minister of Justice Lyndon Lewis since he took office in May is a descendant of the Dominican Republic, and that country refused to accept the prisoner since he was not born in their country.
On Wednesday, the inmates sent a letter to the Justice Committee of Parliament outlining their grievances and the urgent need for better rehabilitation programs.
In their letter to the Justice Committee of Parliament, they stated that they have grown increasingly frustrated with the abuse of power by the prosecuting authorities and the neglect by government representatives.
“It has become clear that our voices are often unheard and our needs overlooked. As a result, many of us are struggling with inadequate mental and physical healthcare that hampers our ability to rehabilitate and reintegrate into society.”

They believe that effective rehabilitation is crucial for reducing recidivism and ensuring one can successfully transition back into the community. However, the current state of programs and services provided to the inmates falls short of what is necessary.
They ask parliamentarians and relevant authorities to meet with them urgently to address these pressing issues. They are seeking an open
dialogue where they could discuss their experiences and advocate for legislative changes that will benefit rehabilitation and reintegration into society.
SMN News also confirmed that MP Sjamira Roseburg, the Chair of the Justice Committee of Parliament, has already responded to the letter sent today by the Prison Inmates Association through the interim director of Pointe Blanche Prison.
In response to the interim director, Roseburg outlined the course of action she intends to take as Chair of the Justice Committee.
Those include a work visit to the Pointe Blanche House of Detention, where Members of Parliament could gain firsthand insight into the concerns of the inmates.
The Member of Parliament, who also represents the Prison Inmate Association in the past, wants a tour of the facility to learn about the prisoners' living conditions and the overall management of the House of Detention.
The Justice Committee also wants to meet with the Prison Inmates Association to discuss the proposed agenda points. This would allow the association to express its concerns and make suggestions, engage in open and respectful dialogue, and make suggestions.
After that, the Justice Committee wants to visit the facility again to present a report that will be prepared after the initial visit.
This report will be presented to parliament for future discussions.
The Prison Inmate Association has since expressed gratitude for the response they received from Roseburg on Wednesday.

PHILIPSBURG:--- I have taken note of an article attributed to Member of Parliament Egbert Jurendy Doran, that seeks to call into question my stand on the sale of Mullet Bay in view of the Ennia Outline Agreement and can only ask where has the honorable MP been in the last four years?
First, if the good MP has any concerns about the Ennia Outline Agreement, which his colleagues in the National Alliance (NA) signed a little over six months ago, I never heard him express those publicly until now. But what is the real issue for MP Doran?
According to him, “What was initially presented as a crucial move to secure local influence over this valuable land (Mullet Bay) has now become a source of public confusion, raising questions about the true intentions of Finance Minister Marinka Gumbs and Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina.”
Who is creating “public confusion” over the matter? Last I checked, the Addendum to the original Outline Agreement for Ennia still stipulates that St. Maarten has the matching right in the sale of Mullet Bay. That right has not been relinquished and will not be. It is a right that this government fought for against all odds. Besides, the Addendum also means savings of some Nafl. 37 million for St. Maarten.
Perhaps, the honorable MP has forgotten that it was his colleague, Ardwell Irion, former Minister of Finance in the NA-led coalition government that lost power following the January elections, who famously said that he had no emotional connection to Mullet Bay. In other words, it didn’t matter to him who eventually took control of it. Obviously, MP Doran was in agreement with that position then because he was part of the Council of Ministers that signed on to that initial agreement in which St. Maarten had no right of first refusal where it concerned the sale of Mullet Bay.
Furthermore, I take it that, thanks to my intervention by critically reviewing that bad deal, MP Doran had a change of heart, saw the light shone by this government, and probably would have voted for the Addendum that we successfully negotiated, despite all efforts to rush us into rubber-stamping the NA-brokered agreement. And maybe, just maybe, had he been able to attend the session of Parliament on October 8, 2024, MP Doran would have been able to convince his fellow NA members of parliament and the others who voted against the Outline Agreement with the Addendum and Annexes that their decision was not in the best interest of St. Maarten. Their vote can only be characterized as “playing politics” because how do you vote against an Agreement that saves St. Maarten Nafl. 37 million and also grants us the Matching Right in the sale of Mullet Bay? In my humble view, that is what should have caused the honorable MP serious concerns. That is where he should have been directing his arrows.
While it is the MPs right to attempt to create issues where there is none, and to play politics with the emotions of the people, I wish to state categorically that I stand by the Addendum to the Ennia Agreement and everything I have said about it in Parliament. I am prepared to return to Parliament at any time to answer questions MP Doran or any other MP for that matter, might still have on any aspect of the Addendum to the Ennia Agreement, which Parliament approved just some six weeks ago. After all, Parliament is where the people’s business is supposed to be conducted.
However, I do not think it is acceptable is to use that Addendum that was painstakingly negotiated as a political football in what seems to be an internal power tussle for leadership of the party of MP Doran. If he wants to score points over his main rivals in the leadership struggle, this is simply the wrong horse to jump on.

PHILIPSBURG:--- This year, the annual director's meeting was convened in Sint Maarten and brought together the department heads of the Voogdijraad CN, Aruba, and Curaçao for two days. The primary goal of the meeting was to facilitate the exchange of best practices and insights, keeping participants informed about current developments on each island. This collaborative effort aimed to strengthen relationships among the islands, particularly as resources remain limited.
A significant theme throughout the meeting was the importance of collaboration. With the challenges that many islands face — from resource constraints to the evolving needs of their communities — it has become increasingly clear that joint efforts are essential. The attendees engaged in productive discussions about how they can better work together to leverage their collective strengths.
One of the key topics was the proposal for joint training programs. Recognizing that knowledge is a valuable asset, the directors discussed the potential for staff members from the different islands to participate in shared training sessions. This initiative would not only enhance the skillsets of participants but also foster relationships among colleagues across islands. The shared experience would create a network of professionals who are better equipped to address the specific challenges faced in their respective communities.
In addition to training programs, the directors explored the idea of exchange programs. By allowing staff to experience different working environments and community challenges, the exchange program aims to enrich their understanding of the broader context in which they operate. This initiative could lead to innovative solutions and strategies being adapted and implemented across various regions.
Furthermore, the meeting included a series of presentations that highlighted successful projects undertaken on each island. Sharing these triumphs not only inspired attendees but emphasized that while each island has its unique circumstances, there is much that can be learned from one another. As discussions unfolded, the directors also acknowledged the impact of current developments in their communities, including social, economic, and environmental factors.
During their visit, the directors also had the opportunity to visit key stakeholders/organizations. In wrapping up the annual director's meeting, it was clear that fostering collaboration among the islands is not just beneficial but essential for navigating the challenges ahead. By pooling knowledge and resources, participating islands can enhance their capabilities and better serve their communities. As they return to their respective islands, the directors carry with them not just new ideas and strengthened relationships but a renewed commitment to working together for the shared benefit of all residents in the region. The next meeting will build on this year's successes, ensuring that the spirit of cooperation continues to grow and thrive. Participants agreed that establishing a timeline and action plan for implementing joint initiatives—such as the proposed training and exchange programs—would keep momentum moving forward.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Honorable Minister of Public Health, Social Development, and Labor (VSA), Veronica Webster-Jansen, is pleased to share preliminary insights from the highly successful National Job Fair 2024, which showcased St. Maarten’s commitment to fostering employment opportunities and bridging the gap between job seekers and employers.

The event, held earlier this month, saw the participation of **43 companies** and offered an impressive **750+ vacancies** to prospective job seekers. Approximately **500 attendees** engaged in a day of networking, interviews, and career development.

**Initial Feedback and Response Rate**
Out of the 500 job seekers who attended, **222 completed feedback forms**, yielding a **44.4% response rate**. The data, though preliminary, provides valuable insights into the job fair's impact. Further comprehensive data collection from participating companies is expected to conclude by early December, offering a more detailed analysis.

**Key Highlights**
- **Job Seeker Experience and Employer Impact:**
- **82.9%** of respondents participated in interviews with up to five companies during the event.
- **39.2%** of job seekers, equating to **87 individuals**, received job offers on the spot, showcasing the event’s immediate success in connecting talent with opportunities.
- An overwhelming **99.1% of attendees** expressed satisfaction with the job fair’s organization and structure.

Minister Webster-Jansen highlighted the importance of these results, stating, *“The National Job Fair 2024 was a testament to our commitment to reducing unemployment and fostering economic growth in St. Maarten. We are thrilled by the positive feedback and the tangible connections made between job seekers and employers.”*

The Ministry of VSA extends its gratitude to all participating companies, attendees, and partners, including the NESC, whose collaboration was instrumental in the event’s success. The Ministry remains committed to supporting job creation and workforce development initiatives that empower St. Maarten’s residents and strengthen the local economy.