Philipsburg:--- The President of the Windward Islands Chamber of Labour Unions Theophilus Thompson is calling on government to conduct the necessary supermarket inspections. Thompson showed members of the media on Tuesday at WICLU's weekly press briefing two bottles of dish liquid. The price on the bottles showed that the smaller bottle is more expensive than the larger bottle.
Thompson said the union has been trying to apply the ILO agreement where they agreed to fight against poverty. He said it has been weeks now they have been raising several issues but this week he wants to show media workers and consumers that while it is government's obligation based on treaties and conventions to reduce the level of poverty, cost of living on St. Maarten has become unsupportable since cost of living has outgrown income by a wide margin. Thompson said that they indicated to government that there should be an increase in minimum wage but that should be done in consultation with the businesses and consumers (workers organization).
The two bottles of dish liquid which is a necessity were made by the same manufacturer. However, the smaller bottle costs Naf. 3.96 (10 fluid ounces) while the larger bottle costs Naf. 3.60 (14 fluid ounces). Thompson said he is speaking as a consumer because has compared the quantity against the back drop of the pricing. He said consumers are now asking themselves why they have to pay more for less while their income remains the same. Thompson said the experts may have lots of arguments regarding the content of the products or the composition of the products but according to him the consumers do not understand that type of rational. "Right now the spending power of the consumers is decreasing by either remaining stagnant or by having an increase in the minimum wage without proper consultation being conducted with stakeholders. The last time the minimum wage increased was in 2006. When this was done all parties were involved and the businesses on the island also made certain commitments in order to stabilize the spending power of the consumer. Thompson said in any free market society when wages are increased and controls are not being done the prices of commodities would skyrocket.
The unionist said they are concerned about the way government intends to increase the minimum wage without proper consultation with the stakeholders. Thompson further stressed that they cannot continue to allow poverty to evolve and there is no remedy for the growing problem.
Employment Agencies Contribute to Poverty.
Thompson said he is also of the opinion that the various Employment Agencies on the island contribute to poverty on St. Maarten. Hiring workers through employment agencies is creating more poverty within the community. Thompson said these agencies do not hire workers for a full work week and they are not being paid the right salaries, this makes workers and families more vulnerable. Thompson said based on the ILO, they are attacking all areas that have been strengthening poverty and the employment agencies operating on St. Maarten are a major contributing factor to the poverty level. The WICLU President said he is yet to fully understand how the government of St. Maarten allows these employment agencies to practice on the island.
Thompson said just recently an employee from a supermarket contacted him for advice, the worker he said has been working for four years at the same supermarket and he was shifted from one employment agency to another. Because of this, the worker told him he is not able to obtain a loan or anything because he does not have stable job. "Here it is you have someone working for four years at the same place and he cannot move forward with his life."