Philipsburg:--- President of the Windward Islands Teachers Union (WITU) Claire Elshot told reporters on Tuesday during WICLU's weekly press briefing that she is still awaiting a response from the Minister of Education Silveria Jacobs on the meeting she requested to discuss some pertinent issues affecting teachers especially those working in the Public Schools on St. Maarten.
Besides the issues that are affecting teachers, Elshot said there are other issues the union wants to discuss with the Minister pertaining to workers rights on St. Maarten. Elshot further explained that government was working on the legislation to address the Employment Agencies on St. Maarten and to date that has not been finalized. The unions on St. Maarten have some grave concerns with regards to Employment Agencies and their concerns are not being taken into consideration. During the meeting held with the "petit committee" Elshot said they looked at the pros and cons verses the economy on St. Maarten.
The WITU union leader said that when they discussed the issue they took example from the Netherlands regarding Employment Agencies and the role they play. She said right now workers on St. Maarten lack legal protection in the workforce. Elshot said they managed to identify where workers are being employed for ten to sixteen years on a contractual basis. "When these workers requested that they become permanent employees they are being fired and when they seek legal recourse they are not given any satisfaction." Elshot made a special plea to workers on St. Maarten to be unionized so that their labour rights can be protected. She said when this happens the union can move forward with a collective voice on behalf of the workers that are being abused in the work force through the Employment Agencies. Elshot stressed that when workers tackle their issues individually they are being victimized or terminated from their jobs. Elshot further explained that there are too many workers on St. Maarten that are not part of the collective body or a union of their choice.
The WITU president said in most cases workers would consult the unions when they face problems and in those cases it is sometimes too late for the unions to assist them. In 2013, the most critical issue for the unions and the chamber of labour unions is to sensitize workers on St. Maarten and to get the workers in the private sector unionized.
President of Windward Islands Chamber of Labour Union (WICLU) and Workers Institute for Organized Labor (WIFOL) Theophilus Thompson also shared the same sentiments regarding workers that are not unionized on St. Maarten. Thompson said workers that are working in the Indian Stores and Chinese Supermarkets (stores) are not unionized because these businesses hire people from their own origin and this makes it harder for these workers to become unionized. The unionist said that because of that the WIFOL amended its articles of incorporation which allows workers that are interested to join the union individually.
Thompson said some years ago workers working for set of stores in Philipsburg had an issue with their employer and once the union intervened and the matter was resolved. However, two weeks later the owner of the stores outsourced the workers to an Employment Agency. "Some of the workers stood their ground and to date they are working for the owner of the stores while some of the workers left their jobs because they were not interested in working for the Employment Agencies, and some of the workers went ahead with the employer's wishes and registered under the Employment Agency. When asked if the Employment Agencies took on the responsibility of the workers years of service with the company, Thompson said the workers who went ahead and signed contracts with the Employment Agency lost their years of service and other benefits.
The President and Vice President also addressed other issues that are hindering workers such as the registration for the pension fund. Elshot said that APS is now asking persons to provide a document to show that they are still alive. "This document is only required for persons living outside of St. Maarten or for those persons who gave someone a power of attorney to collect their pension."
