Cay Hill:--- The Mental Health Foundation (MHF) and union organization ABVO St. Maarten have reached a covenant agreement on the first Collective Labor Agreement (CLA) for MHF. The agreement was signed on July 18th, 2024, after years of discussions that intensified last year. The CLA will take effect on July 1, 2024, and will remain in force until June 30, 2029.
Parties invested time to discuss and crystallize a vision based on the themes improved labor conditions, sustainability and employability of staff and how to strengthen the cooperation towards the shared goals.
The points that were agreed upon will be effective in 2025, which include a salary increase of an additional 2%, an increase of the maximum vacation days from 24 to 26, an increase of the vacation allowance from 7% to 8.33%, the introduction of anniversary bonuses for 2024 and the introduction of a vitality budget of annually Naf 500. This budget can be used toward the improvement of the employee’s vitality on certain items or services that are not covered under their health care insurance. These are some of the benefits agreed upon.
Additionally, the CLA introduces weighted job descriptions using the FWG 3.0 job evaluation system. This will enhance transparency and support the introduction of a new salary structure, which is also an agreed-upon condition.
Both parties view the CLA as a foundational tool for further structural improvements. MHF aims to grow and continuously enhance the services it provides to the community of St. Maarten. In addition to maintaining adequate facilities, MHF acknowledges the importance of offering competitive employment conditions.
Mr. Sandro Garcia, MHF's Financial and Operations Director, expressed joy and pride at the finalization of the Collective Labor Agreement (CLA) Covenant, further noting that the occasion marks the culmination of a long and dedicated process.
He stated, “I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all parties who have played a crucial role in bringing this CLA to fruition. Your unwavering commitment, tireless efforts, and collaborative spirit have been instrumental in achieving this significant milestone.
Together, we have crafted an agreement that will positively impact our organization and its members for years. We celebrate this achievement and look forward to the future with renewed optimism and confidence.”

Dr. Felix, Holiday, Chairman of the Board at MHF, stated, "This CLA represents a significant step forward in ensuring our staff are well-supported and motivated, which is crucial for delivering high-quality mental health care."
On behalf of Mr. Sharlon L. Cathalina, President of ABVO Sint Maarten who was represented by Boardmember Sabine Amparo and Jeanine Henry, added, "We are pleased to have reached this agreement, which reflects our commitment to improving the working conditions and overall well-being of MHF employees."
Both parties commend each other for conducting negotiations in a respectful and mature manner, where each side was open to listening and considering the other's standpoint.
The signed covenant forms the basis for completing the CLA document, which will now be finalized.

Simpson Bay:---  Princess Juliana International Airport is pleased to announce the commencement of construction for two new aircraft stands, B2 and B3, starting this week. This development is a part of our ongoing commitment to enhancing the facilities of the airport for larger aircraft and increasing capacity to support SXM airports’ growth.
The project will begin by demolishing existing structures in the designated area. This phase is expected to take two weeks, during which the site will be cleared and prepared for the new construction. Following the demolition, the construction of the new stands will begin with preparing the foundation of the new asphalt.
Key milestones of the project include:
• Week 31-32: Demolition of existing structures.
• Week 33 - 36: Foundation work and installation of necessary utilities.
• Week 37-42: Construction of the new stands, including paving, marking, lighting installation, and other essential equipment.
• Week 43: Final inspections and testing to ensure the new stands meet all safety and operational standards.
The new stands are expected to be operational by the end of October, just in time for the peak season. This timeline has been carefully planned to ensure that the project is completed efficiently without compromising quality or safety. PJIAE is dedicated to ensuring that this project will not impact passengers. All construction activities have been scheduled to avoid disruption to daily operations. Temporary barriers and signage will be in place to maintain a smooth traffic flow within the airport.

 Enhancing Airport Capacity and Efficiency
The addition of stands B2 and B3 will significantly enhance our capacity to accommodate more aircraft, reducing wait times and improving operational efficiency. This development is part of a broader strategy to position PJIAE as a leading hub for both domestic and international travel across the Caribbean and beyond.

PHILIPSBURG:--- On July 21, 2024, at approximately 6:00 PM, the KPSM Police dispatch was notified of an accident involving a pedestrian who was struck by a vehicle in the area of St. Peters.

According to initial reports, the driver of the vehicle continued for a short distance before stopping. The driver reported that he was attacked by some bystanders. In an effort to avoid further attack, the driver attempted to leave the scene. During this attempt, at some point, shots were fired in his direction. The driver managed to escape and drove to the Middle Region area.

The traffic department, detectives, and forensics teams responded promptly and were visible at both locations, conducting their investigations into this incident.

The pedestrian sustained minor injuries and received first aid at the scene. She was subsequently transported by ambulance to the St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC) for further treatment. Her condition is currently listed as stable.

This incident is under active investigation, and further details will be provided as they become available.

We urge anyone with information regarding this incident to come forward and assist with the ongoing investigation.

KPSM Press Release

~The future of economic research is bright~

WILLEMSTAD/PHILIPSBURG:---  On July 19, 2024, the Centrale Bank van Curaçao en Sint Maarten (CBCS) presented the Best Economic Research Award to the winners of the 2024 edition. This competition was open for students from Curaçao and Sint Maarten at the HAVO and VWO levels, while students from both countries and from abroad were invited to submit their graduation theses at the bachelor and master levels. The winners of this year’s competition are Brandon Matroos and Giuliano Daal from Albert Schweitzer College at the HAVO level, Ian Noor and Jerome Da Costa from Radulphus College at the VWO level, and Nathalie Zimmerman Beriguete from the University of Curaçao at the bachelor level.
The CBCS holds this annual competition to stimulate economic research among students on particularly the economies of Curaçao and Sint Maarten. To increase the number of participants and the quality of the research projects, the CBCS held in-person information sessions at various schools and universities in both Curaçao and Sint Maarten. The CBCS received a total of 21 entries, 7 at the HAVO level and 7 at the VWO level, on topics including climate change, monetary and currency matters, and the impact of geopolitical conflicts. The 7 submissions at the bachelor level addressed, among others, digital financial literacy, central bank digital currency, tourism, and food price inflation.
The submissions were evaluated by an expert panel of judges with a wide range of knowledge on economic, fiscal, and monetary issues. The evaluation committee was chaired by Dr. José Jardim and consisted of Drs. Alberto Romero, Drs. Eugene Holiday and Drs. Eric Matto. Submissions were evaluated on research methodology, originality and creativity, writing skills, layout, and relevance, according to the academic level of each category.
Brandon Matroos and Giulianno Daal (HAVO) received the Best Economic Research Award for their research paper titled "De introductie van de Caribische Gulden (XCG)." Ian Noor and Jerome Da Costa submitted their paper titled "XCG: A name change, but does it change the game?”, while at the bachelor level the award was granted to Nathalie Zimmerman Beriguete for her thesis titled “Digital financial literacy in Curaçao”.
During the award ceremony at the CBCS, the winners presented their research projects, after which they received their trophy. The winners at HAVO and VWO level received a prize of NAf 2,500, and the winners' school received a NAf 5,000 cash prize. The winner at bachelor level received a NAf 5,000 prize. The CBCS extends its best wishes to all participants for continued success in their future studies and careers.

Willemstad, July 22, 2024
CENTRALE BANK VAN CURAÇAO EN SINT MAARTEN