Philipsburg:--- Minister of Justice Roland Duncan has issued a strong warning to employers on the island who have been refusing to seek the necessary working and residency permits for their employees. The Justice Minister said that these employers are acting in violation of the laws and his Ministry plans to take serious action which includes the implementation of fines that can amount to as much as Naf. 100,000.00.Minister Duncan made the announcement on Wednesday during the Council of Minister's press briefing. He said he has noticed that employers are announcing vacancies and they would indicate that only Dutch citizens or people with valid working permits could apply. The Minister said he also noticed an increase in the amount of people that are requesting to sign for themselves while working for businesses on the island. Minister Duncan also said a number of people have approached IND informing them that if they are not able to acquire their own working or residency permits then they will lose their jobs.
Minister Duncan said these employers are acting illegally and he is of the opinion that they are trying to circumvent the law. He further explained that people can only sign for themselves if they have sufficient means to reside on the island. Minister Duncan said the Ministry of Justice made an exception for people who applied for the category one Brooks Tower permit that have been residing on the island prior to 2001.
The Minister of Justice said that employers need to peruse the law some more because persons who hold a valid working and residency permit can only work for the persons that signed for them. "The minute an employee comes to you with a permit that is under another company the permit becomes invalid the minute they begin working for you. I am going to this length to explain this to let employers know that they are operating in violation of the law." He made clear that the labour and Justice Ministry knows exactly who the employment agencies are and they know where these people place their workers. Employers who do not comply with the law are committing a crime and they will have to face the consequences.
The Minister said there is a group of people whom he met with and they are of opinion that they don't have to get an employment permit. He called on all persons residing and working on the island to familiarize themselves with the law.