Philipsburg:--- Prime Minister Sarah Wescot Williams said on Wednesday said that the Brooks Tower Project which was established by the former Minister of Justice of the Netherlands Antilles created a number of complications which need to be rectified. Wescot Williams said application and the implications of the BTA has government concerned. The Prime Minister said government has decided that they will look at all the implications the BTA application has caused when it comes to providing services such as education, health care, and housing.The Prime Minister further explained that the current coalition government is very much concerned about the introduction of the BTA and they are looking forward to an overview on the implications now that the BTA is completed. Wescot Williams said the entire process of the working and residency permits has to be worked out since there are many implications when dealing with this particular issue.
Asked about government's intention to increase the processing fees for foreign labour permits and what would be the new amount, the Prime Minister said that the new fees have not yet been established. Asked if she thought it was fair to place the burden of the budget constraints on the working class, Wescot Williams said no determination has been made as to who has to bear the cost of the services government has to provide to those persons who are working and residing on St. Maarten.
The Prime Minister said that no one would express gladness when they are asked to pay extra fees but one must not underestimate the cost of the services government is required to provide. She said government has looked at its budget and there is a high cost towards education, public health and housing due to expatriate labour on St. Maarten.