This meeting is a continuation of the first SEC Seminar held on November 25th last year. At that seminar, moderated by Gracita Arrindell of the Island Government's Secretariat, an outline was given by Commissioner of Constitutional Affairs William Marlin on the importance of the SEC, a possible structure and the functioning of the council.
Other speakers included, Ludwig Quenniche, representing the employers, workers representative Theophilus Thompson, representing labour and the expert guiding the process, Glenn Camelia.
At this seminar the agreement and commitment was expressed to start up the SEC Consultation on a specific topic as part of the preparations for becoming country by 10-10-10. Among the things that Sint Maarten needs to have in place by 10-10-10 is a SEC, not one on paper, but one that is really functioning.
"As part of the preparations to have an up and running consultation body in place for when we become country, this Thursday four representatives of employers' organizations, four of the workers organizations and four independent members will start with the first of three mock sessions on the new draft ordinance: "Establishment Regulation" (Vestigingsregeling 2008) that the government wants to introduce. This new "Establishment Regulation" law will reduce the administrative burden on businesses," Commissioner of Constitutional Affairs William Marlin told the Government Information Service (GIS).
These three meetings of the SEC are in fact mock-meetings where the actual application of the law is being undertaken to demonstrate how it should function when the SEC starts to officially function under country Sint Maarten.
Being part of the democratic process of a country, a real functioning tripartite consultation system for Sint Maarten is a must.
