PHILIPSBURG:--- Several French taxi drivers that are operating under the Dutch Taxi Drivers Association (DSTA) are at their wits ends after they were informed by the Harbour Group of Companies Security that their passes for next month will be delayed because the Harbour Group of Companies is seeking clarity from two Ministries in Government.
Head of the Harbour Group of Companies Roberto Livingstone told SMN News in an invited comment that he requested clarity from the Minister of Justice and the Minister of Labour to see if the Treaty of Concordia is still being respected which allows French nationals to work on the Dutch side without a working permit. Livingstone said he does not know if the Concordia Treaty is still in effect and the Harbour Group of Companies has to comply with the International Ship and Port Security Code.
Livingstone said that the Harbour Group of Companies has to ensure that anyone that enters and is doing business at the port is operating legally, that he said is one of ISPS requirements. Livingstone further made clear that the Harbour Group of Companies is not there to jeopardize or to hinder anyone from doing business. He said so far they have not denied any taxi driver access to the port because they have not received any response from government as yet. Furthermore, the passes the taxi drivers have is valid until July 10th, 2014 and by Monday July 7th, 2014 the Harbour Group of Companies will be taking a decision on how to proceed.
French taxi drivers who do not have working permits for the Dutch side are now asking how could they secure a working permit and who can they say they are working for since they are all independent workers. Furthermore, they want to know if the person or persons who they have to say they are working for is prepared to pay their dues such as SZV and their pensions.
Minister of Labour Cornelius de Weever said that the Department of Labour is working on bringing back the workbook for French nationals, he said when this process is finalized a small fee will be charged even if the workbook is in a digital format. Minister de Weever further explained that what they are working on is not finalized, therefore it is not yet implemented.
