Philipsburg:--- The Windward Islands Chamber of Labour Unions (WICLU) along with the tripartite committee has decided to recognize three persons within the community for their contributions towards labour related matters or affairs on Labour Day. Vice President of the WICLU Claire Elshot told reporters on Tuesday at WICLU's weekly press briefing that the three persons that were selected will be honored. Those that were selected to receive their awards are the relatives of the late Alred Peters, a former Taxi Driver who headed the Taxis Union in Cole Bay. Elshot said that Peters is no longer alive but his contributions to unionism could never be forgotten. She said Peters started off the Taxis Union under the tamarind tree in Cole Bay where the Ace Mega Store is located. Elshot further explained that Peters was nominated as historic member of the unions. The second person that will be recognized for his years of contribution and dedication to unionism is Willy Haize, the former President and now advisor of the UFA. Elshot said Haize made a huge impact on labor since he was very dynamic and outspoken when he was the President of the UFA. She said even though Haize is no longer the President of UFA he still remains active in unionism by being the advisor to the UFA. "Because of this, the tripartite had to be honest in recognizing Haize for the contributions he made to unionism. Haize was also a member of the SER where his voice was always heard. I think the voice of Mr. Haize really made an impact both in the former Netherlands Antilles and St. Maarten." The third person that will be honored for her contributions to unionism is Sonia Tondu, Tondu is a civil servant and member of the GOA who works behind the scenes to ensure that workers rights within the civil core as well as those that are working in the private sector are not violated since she was also a member of the WICSU/PSU. Elshot said Tondu has been working for years on the rights of workers and she is already available when she is called upon.
Elshot said the day's activities will kick off with a church service which will be held at the Philipsburg Methodist Church. The venue for the awards ceremony and official speeches is yet to be announced. However, on May 1st, the second day of the Carnival parade, workers on St. Maarten including the various unions will be leading the parade with a troupe depicting the importance of workers.
Prime Minister and Finance Minister are making conflicting statements --- Elshot.
The President of the WITU also told members of the media that to date they have not received any response from government regarding the ultimatum that was sent to them on the payment of the Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA). She said on April 30th, 2013 if government does not react the unions are prepared to take the necessary actions to ensure that workers get what is due to them. Besides that, Elshot said that the Minister of Finance in his statements said that the country's finances are in good shape while the Prime Minister (Minister of General Affairs) said otherwise in a statement she made.
Elshot also made clear that she will be leaving the island to attend a conference in Jamaica but she will be back on St. Maarten for April 30th to see what government has to say or will do on that day regarding the COLA payments.
Unemployment Rate Rising --- Unions Concerned.
Elshot also told reporters on Tuesday that the unemployment rate on St. Maarten is escalating and something has to be done to curb the situation. She said in the early 1980's St. Maarten was the only island within the Netherlands Antilles who could have boasted of a 0% unemployment rate but today there is a 26% youth unemployment rate while there is between 8% to 13% unemployment rate among persons ranging from 35 years to 50 years.
