Philipsburg:--- The over one hundred workers who are facing retrenchment from Simpson Bay Resort Management Company BV (SBRMC) and Royal Resorts Management Company Ltd confronted Members of Parliament Roy Marlin and Jules James as they left the Parliament Building Thursday night. The workers became very angry at the statements Marlin made during his presentation telling the workers that they should not bite the hand that fed them, referring to the Democratic Party who was in power for close to ten years.The Member of Parliament also insinuated that the workers lied on the General Manger of Simpson Bay Resort Management Company BV (SBRMC) and Royal Resorts Management Company Ltd and Member of Parliament Jules James who sent them home two weeks ago while pulling back their punch cards. The angry and almost violent workers became more frustrated when the Chairlady of Parliament Gracita Arrindell allowed Member of Parliament Jules James to vote on the two motions that were presented to the floor of Parliament. The workers said Arrindell does not know her job since it is clear that James who is an MP is operating in conflict of interest while holding two positions. James was present and the meeting but did not speak on the floor.
The workers showed their anger when the Members of Parliament from the United Peoples Party and the Democratic Party voted against the motion that was presented by the National Alliance Faction, asking that the SBRMC wait on the outcome of the Supreme Court case before taking any action.
The motion presented by the National Alliance Faction received six votes in favor and seven against while Member of Parliament Romain La Ville once said that he would abstain from voting but then was advised to leave the room since it was not possible for him to abstain. Independent Member of Parliament Frans Richardson also supported and signed the motion presented by the National Alliance.La Ville immediately left the room and did not vote on the motion presented by the National Alliance and the one he presented to floor of parliament on behalf of the coalition. Since La Ville was not present to vote for the UP/DP motion it was also not carried since they only receive seven votes. As soon as the voting for the National Alliance motion was completed the workers and their union representatives who were in Parliament for the entire session walked out of Parliament sending a clear message to the ruling parties that they are not satisfied with their decision.
The workers gathered outside of the Parliament Building and vented their frustration until the Members of Parliament left the building. MPs from the National Alliance and Independent Member Frans Richardson stood with them and tried to console them. Many of them were overheard telling the Members of Parliament that the rules of order are not respected and that too much politics is being played by the highest legislative body for country St. Maarten.
Emotional Debate --- Laveist and La Ville broke down in tears.
Member of Parliament Louie Laveist captivated the workers attention when he made his arguments and suddenly broke down in tears when he explained what his two sisters have been through at the hands of greedy employers. Laveist said that his oldest sister Juliana Laveist is a victim of the Mullet Bay demise and after 16 years of being without a job she cannot find permanent work simply because she is over 40 years old. Laveist said today his baby sister Dorothy is a victim of the Pelican saga which has been going on now for over a year. As soon as Laveist spoke of his sisters he broke down in tears and the chairlady of Parliament had to call for a five minutes recess so that Laveist could catch himself and finish his statements. As Laveist spoke all the workers of Pelican Resort who was in the public tribune began shedding tears including Member of Parliament Romain La Ville.
Laveist attacked the motion La Ville presented saying that it's been a year now since the Pelican workers are facing dismissal and the tripartite committee and government could not find a solution even though government granted SMRBC one million guilders in transfer tax so that they can keep the 183 workers employed. "Government intervened already and they could not fix this problem of greed and not even the courts could fix it so why ask government to intervene again."
Laveist called on his colleagues in parliament to take their heads out of the trough for a second and see what is happening over their heads. He made clear he will not subscribe to the disgrace of parliament to save no one.
Laviest also informed Parliament that he was working on a draft legislation over one year now which is to amend the constitution and govern Members of Parliament who are holding double functions. The Parliament of Curacao just recently accepted a draft legislation to do the same. Laveist presented the draft legislations to his party leader William Marlin and asked him to make sure it gets to the floor of parliament so that they can stop the 'greed machine". "No Mas, No Mas" Laviest shouted as he condemned the greed and selfishness of the politicians especially Member of Parliament Jules James who is at the center of the Pelican saga.
The statements made by Laviest during the second round and the tears that were running down the cheeks of the workers both male and female forced Member of Parliament Romain La Ville to stick to his conscience even if his decision would cost him his seat in Parliament. La Ville openly condemned the company for their actions. He said he cannot and would not support the company even though he has no intention of throwing his colleague under the bus. He said this is not about politics and party colors but it is about doing what is right in the interest of the people who elected them to office. La Ville said the time has come for him to take a stand and do what is right and go after the "big boys", I just don't care what happen after this meeting, I cant sit back while our people are being mishandled." He further criticized the politicians for going to doors of these same workers during the election and asking them to vote for them and after the election is over forgetting about them.
"My mother always told me that when people shed tears it would either fall on you or your children and when I see the tears of these workers I have decided to tie my own shoe lace." La Ville made those statements during the second round even though he presented a motion during the first round on behalf of the United Peoples Party and Democratic Party. As the Member of Parliament made his statements he walked out of the meeting hall forcing the chairlady to call for an adjournment hoping that La Ville would change his mind.
While several adjournments were called so that the Members of Parliament could caucus and discuss the motion presented by the National Alliance the Chairlady of Parliament had to call two extra adjournment to allow former police officer and now Member of Parliament Johan Janchi Leonard to convince La Ville to go back to his seat. La Ville did adhere to the wishes of his party supporters but when the time came for voting he walked back out and did not vote.
Member of Parliament Frans Richardson described the employers as the "fat cats" who have no interest in the island and its people. He urged the Members of Parliament to call a spade a spade.
Leader of the National Alliance William Marlin attacked the UP and DP members for not preparing for the meeting and plagiarizing the National Alliance. Marlin said the MP's supporting the government did not go to the meeting prepared but when they heard what the National Alliance put together they decided to select the parts they like and form a motion of their own.
