Philipsburg:--- Deputy Prime Minister William Marlin held on to the promise he had with the owners of Hard Rock Café and the Simpson Bay Resort on Wednesday during the Council of Ministers' weekly press briefing when he was asked by SMN News if his government tried to secure the employment of the Simpson Bay Resort workers who have been out of work for almost two years now. When the National Alliance was not in government Marlin and other Members of the National Alliance criticized how Member of Parliament Jules James and his government treated the SBRMC workers who have been engaged in numerous court battles. In responding to the question on Wednesday, Marlin said "There have been no discussions or negotiations for Hard Rock Café to purchase Simpson Bay Resort, there have been discussions between Hard Rock and Simpson Bay Resort Management Company. It is not my responsibility or prerogative to divulge information on the ongoing discussions. Only last week I told a reporter it is the responsibility of those two companies that are discussing to divulge information to the media."
Marlin said several months ago he did participate in a meeting with the parties and he made it clear that the interests of the working class are very dear to him. Marlin also reminded the reporters present that when he was a Member of Parliament he submitted a draft law to make changes to the civil code to curb the abuse of the short term contracts. Marlin said every time there is a law in place business people would get legal advice on how to circumvent that law to their advantage. Marlin said it is not acceptable to government the way the short term contract is used but the changes the National Alliance submitted to amend the civil code is taking some time before it is finalized. He said the reasons he brought up the amendment to the civil code that was spearheaded by him was to let the workers and the unions know that he has not deviated from the position he took when it comes to the working class. Marlin said that if the discussions taking place with Hard Rock and SBRMC are fruitful a number of jobs will be created out of the venture. He said that while not being in a position to divulge information on the ongoing discussion, if a deal is sealed between Hard Rock and SBRMC, those that were put out of work and much more people would be hired.
When asked by SMN News if the Government of St. Maarten should lead by example when it comes to the short term contracts or hiring people through Employment agencies because currently someone working in the parking lot on the square has been providing services for government for over 12 years through an employment agency and to date government has not hired the individual even though the job they are holding is a permanent one. Marlin said he is aware of the situation but he was not sure if the person is working for that amount of years. Marlin agreed that the situation does not look good, he also said that it is not only that person that is working for government via Employment Agencies. He said in some cases it is more viable for government to hire persons through agencies for projects that would last only for a short period of time based on the provision of the law. The Deputy Prime Minister said he could not say why government did not take the person into permanent service over the years but he is of the opinion that there could be several reasons.
