PHILIPSBURG:---  The St. Maarten Marine Trades Association (SMMTA), in collaboration with the National Employment Service Center (NESC), will host an upcoming Marine Industry Immersion Day on June 17th, 2026, bringing together government representatives, educational stakeholders, and private sector leaders to create greater awareness and understanding of the marine industry, its economic importance, and the employment opportunities and challenges connected to its future growth.
As one of Sint Maarten’s most important economic sectors, the marine industry contributes significantly to technical services, hospitality, transportation, yachting, tourism and regional commerce. The industry supports a wide range of direct and indirect employment opportunities and plays a major role in positioning Sint Maarten as a leading maritime hub within the Caribbean.
However, continued growth and sustainability of the sector rely heavily on several interconnected factors, including workforce development, infrastructure improvements, permitting processes, policy alignment, education, safety and destination promotion. Challenges in these areas can directly affect the ability of the industry to expand, maintain service quality, attract investment, and create long-term employment opportunities for the people of Sint Maarten.
The Marine Industry Immersion Day aims to provide government officials and labor-related stakeholders with firsthand insight into the scale, diversity, and operational realities of the sector, while encouraging open dialogue on how stronger collaboration can support both industry growth and workforce development.
Through site visits at marine businesses, a tour of the Simpson Bay Lagoon, presentations, panel discussions, and interactive dialogue with marine professionals and businesses, participants will gain a broader understanding of both the opportunities and challenges facing the sector. Discussions will focus not only on employment needs and training opportunities, but also on how operational and regulatory obstacles can impact business growth, investment confidence, and ultimately job creation within the industry.
The event will also highlight the wide variety of careers available within the marine sector, ranging from technical and mechanical trades to hospitality, logistics, administration, operations, and management positions. By creating stronger alignment between industry needs, government support, and educational pathways, SMMTA and NESC hope to contribute to a more prepared and competitive local workforce.
“Sint Maarten’s marine industry offers tremendous opportunities for economic growth and career development, but continued success requires collaboration,” stated representatives of SMMTA. “This Immersion Day is about building better understanding between the industry and government, discussing the challenges affecting long-term sustainability, and working toward practical solutions that can strengthen both the sector and the local labor market.” Stated Jesse Peterson, President of the St. Maarten marine Trades Association.
Peggy-Ann Richardson, Division Head Labor Affairs and Social Services continues: “The collaboration with NESC further emphasizes the importance of proactively preparing Sint Maarten’s workforce for future industry demands through training programs, certifications, internships, and stronger educational support systems, while also addressing the broader factors that influence the overall health and competitiveness of the marine industry.”
Attendees will include representatives from government ministries, labor and education departments, industry stakeholders, marine businesses, and employment-focused organizations, all working toward the shared goal of creating stronger opportunities for the people of Sint Maarten through one of the island’s key economic sectors.
For additional information regarding the Marine Industry Immersion Day, interested parties are encouraged to contact SMMTA or NESC directly.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Today, representatives of the NV GEBE Management Team, led by Temporary Manager Ms. Iris Arrindell, met with two members of the ACP-SXM Board and their legal representative, Ms. Valya Pantophlet. Also present on behalf of NV GEBE was the company's legal representative, Ms. Florentine Paanakker of Lexwell Attorneys.
Prior to the meeting, ACP-SXM formally presented its petition to NV GEBE Management. The petition was signed and received by Temporary Manager Ms. Arrindell in the presence of ACP-SXM Board members and their supporters who had gathered for the peaceful march.
Following the presentation, both parties convened in the conference room of NV GEBE, where the ACP-SXM Board provided an overview of the points contained in the petition.
NV GEBE acknowledges receipt of the petition and appreciates the respectful and constructive dialogue that took place. Management will review the matters presented and continue to engage with all relevant stakeholders in the best interest of the company, its employees, and the people of Sint Maarten.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Many of our students opt to pursue their tertiary education in the USA and Canada. To do so, students will need a student visa or study permit as the last legal documents before leaving the island.
The Student Support Services Division (SSSD) of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport is hosting a workshop entitled “Applying for a U.S. Student Visa or Canadian Study Permit” on Thursday, June 18, 2026. This free workshop will be held at the University of St. Martin from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM.
According to SSSD officials, many students are often overwhelmed by the process of obtaining a student visa or study permit. Some also find it challenging to navigate all the requirements and changes related to studying in the USA and Canada. With this workshop, SSSD aims to address those concerns.
This annual workshop is open to students who will be going to the US or Canada to study in the upcoming school year (August/ September or January) as well as students in their last year of secondary school who are considering these countries as places to study. Parents are also welcomed, together with their child, based on availability of seats.
“The recent developments in both the US and Canada, as it relates to international students, dictate that all immigration documents are properly completed and procedures followed,” SSSD officials stated. They stressed that it is important that students follow the correct steps in the application process since this can cause delays or even that their application is turned down. The workshop will explain the steps students need to take when applying either for their U.S. Student Visa or Study Permit for Canada. Explanation of the documents needed as well as the fees to be paid, will be given.
“Even if you have not received your I-20 (US schools) or Letter of Acceptance (LOA) (Canada) and you are scheduled to start school later this year, you can still attend this workshop,” SSSD officials stated.
Persons interested in attending this workshop are encouraged to contact Student Support Services Division (SSSD) at telephone 543-1235 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to reserve a seat since space is limited. People can also go to the SSSD Facebook page and scan the QR code on the flyer to register. Participants are encouraged to bring their own writing materials to the workshop and to be on time.
The Student Support Services Division is located upstairs of the Gatspy’s store, across from the Police Station and next to the Windward Island Bank (WIB) in Philipsburg. SSSD provides many services to students including psychological services, counseling services, speech language pathology services, social work services, educational diagnostic services, career services, as well as parental workshops and parent support groups.

PHILIPSBURG:--- An estimated 500 residents, joined by politicians, union representatives, community leaders, and concerned consumers, took to the streets on Monday in a powerful show of public frustration over electricity and water bills, fuel clause charges, and utility disconnections imposed by NV GEBE.

The march, organized by the Association for Consumer Protection (ACP), culminated at GEBE's headquarters, where ACP President Peggy Ann Dros-Richardson delivered a strong message to the utility company and informed supporters that GEBE has been given seven business days to respond to a list of nine demands presented on behalf of consumers.

The massive turnout signaled growing dissatisfaction among residents who say they have been burdened by rising utility costs, inconsistent billing, and a lack of transparency regarding the controversial fuel clause.

Speaking to the crowd following a meeting with GEBE officials, Dros-Richardson said ACP was not interested in endless discussions that failed to produce results.

"This country sometimes has us spinning in a wash cycle of talking, discussion after discussion, with no deadline set and no resolution in sight," she told supporters. "On behalf of the Association for Consumer Protection, I am saying this will not occur."

Dros-Richardson warned that if GEBE fails to provide what ACP considers a reasonable resolution within seven business days, the organization is prepared to seek legal action.

"This isn't about GEBE. This is about consumer rights. Today it is GEBE, tomorrow it can be another institution. We are standing up for the people of this country."

ACP presented nine demands to the utility company, two of which the organization considers immediate and non-negotiable.

The first demand calls for the immediate reversal of what ACP describes as the unauthorized and unlawful retroactive application of the fuel clause. The second requires GEBE to suspend all residential utility disconnections and reconnect households that have already been disconnected.

"I have made it clear to NV GEBE that those two points are non-negotiable," Dros-Richardson stated.

The remaining demands seek greater transparency regarding tariff calculations and fuel clause methodology, an independent audit of billing practices dating back to the March 2022 cyberattack, the publication of a customer service policy, compensation for consumers who may have been improperly charged, and stronger protections for vulnerable groups including seniors, low-income families, persons with disabilities, medically dependent residents, and households with children.

ACP is also demanding full cooperation with regulatory and oversight bodies, as well as the publication of a clear infrastructure and service reliability plan to improve electricity and water services. The organization further called on GEBE to invest more aggressively in renewable energy solutions to reduce long-term costs for consumers.

Receiving the ACP delegation was Temporary Manager Iris Arrindell, who acknowledged the growing frustration among residents and the widening divide between the utility company and the public.

"We understand that you are frustrated," Arrindell told the gathering. "There is really a gap between us and the people."

Arrindell assured the crowd that GEBE intends to engage with ACP representatives and review the concerns presented.

"Never believe for one moment that we ourselves don't want this situation fixed. The quicker we get this fixed, the quicker we can gain your trust back and move on together as a company," she said.

While the demonstration highlighted widespread public dissatisfaction with GEBE's billing practices and customer service, the utility company is simultaneously facing a severe financial challenge of its own.

Recent disclosures indicate that approximately NAf. 184.7 million is currently owed to NV GEBE in unpaid electricity and water bills. The staggering figure has fueled concerns among policymakers and financial experts who warn that the utility's long-term sustainability is being threatened by mounting arrears and a growing culture of non-payment.

The issue has become increasingly controversial as some residents and interest groups have called for debt forgiveness or write-offs. However, critics argue that such measures would place an even greater burden on an already struggling utility and ultimately shift costs onto paying customers and taxpayers.

Many observers note that while consumers have legitimate concerns about billing accuracy, fuel-clause increases, and service reliability, the reality is that electricity and water services cannot be maintained if large numbers of customers simply stop paying their bills in the expectation that debts will eventually be written off.

Monday's demonstration therefore highlighted two competing realities facing Sint Maarten. On one hand, consumers are demanding transparency, accountability, and relief from what they believe are unfair charges. On the other hand, GEBE must recover millions in outstanding payments while rebuilding public confidence and maintaining essential services.

As ACP's seven-business-day deadline begins to count down, attention will now turn to whether GEBE responds to the organization's demands or whether the dispute escalates into a legal battle.

What was evident on Monday is that nearly 1,000 residents made their voices heard, sending a clear message that public patience has run out and that consumers expect answers, accountability, and action.