French Quarter:--- A Portuguese national and resident of French St. Martin has claimed that employers on French St. Martin and other territories are abusing the labor and human rights in their territories. The 58 year old man identified himself as Rui Bagini said he began a hunger strike some five days ago in the hopes that government would pay attention to the labor situation on the island.
Bagini said he had fought a number of court cases all of which he won but to date his employers are not living up to the court's decision and his lack of finances is preventing him from going after them. The frustrated father of two said that even the legal aid services on the French side is of no use to workers and victims who are not able to dish out huge sums of monies to pay them. "The aid jursidictionelle does not pay for hotel and airline tickets when cases such as these are tried in Basse Terre." Furthermore the case takes forever to go to court.
As for government he said they are negligent which the main reason employers are abusing their workers. "This is one reason our crime rate is so high, there is no place in society for the youths and when they find a job they are being abused. Employers are stealing tips and service charges from their waiters and these workers cannot say anything fearing that they would be fired. Bagini said he wrote letters to the Inspector du travailler on several occasions asking them to come and visit the workplace where workers are working seven days a week and is not paid overtime and to date the French labor department has not shown any interest. He said there are employers who are not giving their workers pay-slips and to date nothing is done.
Bagini said he has decided to challenge his bosses because on several occasions he witnessed the theft and abuse and being a holder of a European passport allows him to contest the abuse.
Bagani also accused certain lawyers who are representing many of the French side employers for blackmail. He said on three occasions he was terminated after one year service because the lawyer that represented one of his employers made sure she informed her other clients about him. "This lawyer openly told a handicap woman who had no rights being on St. Martin to get rid of me because I am someone who fights against labor abuse and unfair treatment." Bagini said.
Bagini has worked in British and French Guiana prior to moving here some 12 years ago. He won two court cases in French Guiana and to date is not paid according to the court's ruling. He also worked several places on French St. Martin and won many court cases. Bagini said he also worked on the Dutch side and the experience was the same and government on that side of the island is also negligent.
Why Stay on St. Martin?
SMN News posed some questions to Bagini who is currently on hunger strike and this is how he responded.
Q. Since when are you on hunger strike?
A. Today (Thursday) is my fifth day I have not eaten anything since Saturday.
Q. Has anyone in government on the French or Dutch side contacted you?
A. No one except two reporters. About a month ago I went to see the President of the Collectivity of St. Martin and I explained him my situation and I also told him that I wanted to leave St. Martin since I can no longer take this and the President told me to write him a letter and I should also tell him where I want to go and I did just that but to date I have not heard from President Frantz Gumbs.
Q. Where exactly do you want to go and work?
A. I would like to go to Canada because based on my research the labor laws are respected and workers are given their benefits. Besides that I can no longer find work here because the employers are now telling me that I am too old.
Q. Why Canada and not your home country?
A. I don't want to go there because I lost my father who committed suicide some years ago. And I feel responsible because I had promised my dad that I would have returned home to be with him but my financial situation has prevented me.
Q. Where are your family, wife and children.
A. My wife and two children went back to Guyana they are also very depressed since I cannot fully provide for them. But they are coming back soon.
Q. Do you have food and water in the house?
A. Bagini opened his refrigerator to show that it was empty.
Q. Are you drinking water at least?
A. Yes, I drink water because my son and wife insisted that I do that.
