~Local Employee Raises Serious Concerns Regarding Treatment at FINSO~
PHILIPSBURG:--- Serious allegations concerning payroll irregularities, workplace treatment, and labor practices have emerged from within the construction project for Sint Maarten’s new General Hospital, after a local employee formally raised concerns involving contractor FINSO.
The employee, who describes himself as the only local worker in his specific work environment on a significant national project, claims he has endured prolonged salary discrepancies, unexplained wage reductions, repeated administrative issues with sick leave submissions, and escalating disciplinary action after voicing concerns internally.
According to the documentation and statements provided, the issues allegedly persisted despite prior employment-related legal proceedings between the employee and the company.
The employee states that after those proceedings concluded, he hoped the working relationship and conditions would improve. Instead, he claims the situation deteriorated further.
Among the most concerning allegations is an incident involving medical documentation that had reportedly already been submitted to the company but was later treated as “missing.” The employee says this resulted in accusations of unauthorized absence, salary deductions, and the issuance of formal warning letters against him.
Only after the employee produced proof of submission did the company acknowledge that the sick leave periods were, in fact, covered, according to the employee.
The employee also alleges that he experienced extended periods during which he reported to work daily and remained available for duty, yet was repeatedly left without meaningful assignments or operational responsibilities. He says he raised these concerns with management on multiple occasions but saw no meaningful resolution.
A particularly troubling payroll dispute reportedly occurred when the employee initially received a pay slip reflecting what he says was the correct salary owed to him. However, the corresponding funds allegedly never arrived in his bank account.
After approximately five days, the employee says he contacted the company seeking clarification regarding the missing payment. He claims that shortly afterward, the original pay slip was revised to reflect a substantially reduced amount of approximately USD 790 — less than a quarter of the salary he expected to receive.
The employee further claims that repeated attempts to resolve the issues internally proved unsuccessful, ultimately forcing him to seek assistance from the Department of Labor Affairs.
The ongoing situation, he says, has created severe financial and emotional strain, including difficulty meeting financial obligations and growing concerns regarding his health and well-being.
“I regret that the matter ultimately had to escalate to the Department of Labor Affairs,” the employee stated, “however, I felt compelled to seek assistance after repeated efforts to resolve the issues internally failed to produce a meaningful resolution.”
The employee says he currently has supporting documentation, including pay slips, communication records, sick leave submissions, court-related documents, and correspondence involving both the company and the Department of Labor Affairs.
The allegations emerge against the backdrop of one of Sint Maarten’s most important public infrastructure projects — the construction of the new General Hospital — a development widely viewed as critical to the island’s healthcare future.
At this stage, the claims remain allegations, and no ruling has yet been publicly issued regarding the matter. However, the case raises broader questions concerning labor protection, payroll transparency, workplace treatment, and oversight on major national projects involving local employees.
It should also be noted that this is not the first time employees and subcontractors have told their workers that FINSO did not make the payments, as it is a World Bank project, and payments take time due to the lengthy process.
Requests for public clarification or comment from FINSO and relevant labor authorities may be expected as the matter develops.
BONAIRE:--- World Football Day 2026 marked a special and memorable moment for James Finies, Founder of the Bonaire Human Rights Organization and former National Netherlands Antilles football player, as he met FIFA President Gianni Infantino during the United Nations High-Level Reception hosted by the Permanent Mission of Qatar to the United Nations.
PHILIPSBURG:--- Former Member of Parliament and political strategist Romaine Laville has launched a blistering public attack against Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina, accusing the country’s leader of political interference, intimidation, abuse of power, and targeting his family in what is rapidly becoming one of the biggest political crises facing the coalition government.
