~Government employees cannot conduct side jobs unless permitted. ~
PHILIPSBURG:--- Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs announced on Wednesday that the government of St. Maarten plans to tighten its rules when it comes to the weekly press briefings.
The Prime Minister said that the government received a number of complaints about the weekly briefings and how it is conducted. She said that the government has been working on a policy for media workers and this policy is nearing its finalization when it goes into effect government will strictly enforce the rules. Jacobs said the policy has been on the table since 2017 and it was not finalized because it did not address the participation of international media.
The Prime Minister further explained when the policy is finalized this week it will be shared with the media houses in St. Maarten in order to uphold a high level of information sharing, such as the types of questions that are being asked and on the platforms’ it is shared.
Jacobs who is responsible for General Affairs and Personnel matters said that there is a policy within the Government of St. Maarten regarding its employees (Civil Servants) that are executing other works other than their full-time jobs they should have approval from their immediate supervisor or Minister. She said it is a bit unorthodox to have employees of the government to show up for their part-time job during government working hours. “Even if these persons had a press pass in the past.” The Prime Minister made the statements after a government employee showed up to cover the Council of Ministers' press conference and was told to leave the room.
