Philipsburg:--- Reliable information reaching SMN News indicates that as of Monday October 29th, 2012 the Policy Advisor of the Department of Labour and Social Affairs Rafael Boasman will be acting as the island's Labour Mediator. Well placed sources within the Ministry of Labour said that since the Minister of Health and Labour Cornelius de Weever informed the current Labour Mediator Derrick Holiday that his contract which expires on December 1, 2012 will not be renewed and advised him to take his vacation pending the expiration of his contract, Holiday has not return to work neither has he responded to the letter sent to him by the Minister of Labour, Health, and Social Affairs.
SMN News learnt that Holiday had up until Friday October 26th, 2012 to enter into discussion with Boasman but he did not respond to the calls made to his telephone.
SMN News also learnt that the Minister of Labour and Social Affairs will soon be opening the vacancy since several civil servants have expressed interest in the position especially knowing that Boasman will soon be leaving on pension.
The former convicted Chief Commissioner of Police Derrick Holiday was removed from his job when several employees of Blend-In Security Company filed complaints against Holiday for non-payment of salaries.
According to information provided to SMN News, Holiday collected monies from several Airlines, Bobby's Marina, and other companies that he is providing security services to but has failed to pay his workers. The source said that the Ministry is also checking to see if Blend In Security paid the workers dues to SZV and the Tax Department.
SMN News was also reliably informed that the Council of Ministers has already requested that an investigation be conducted locate the funds of the Friends of Police and find out who is handling the account. The source said that the former Lt. Governor Franklyn Richards was the president of the Association created for the Friends of the Police while Holiday and Richards were the signatories to the account. Below is a press release issued by Minister Cornelius de Weever regarding the appointment of Rafael Boasman.
Boasman appointed as Extraordinary Mediator.
Great Bay:--- The Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labour, Cornelius De Weever, makes known that the Government Mediator, Mr. Derrick Holiday is on vacation until December 1, 2012 and will therefore not be carrying out his duties as Mediator.
In order to guarantee continuity of service, Minister De Weever has appointed Mr. Rafael A. Boasman as Extraordinary Mediator in accordance with art. 8 of the Ordinance on Labour Peace.
Mr. Boasman will be handling all pending and current cases for which a request has been submitted. Workers Organizations (Unions) and Employers Organizations requiring the services of the Mediator can contact Mr. Boasman as indicated below.
Mr. Rafael A. Boasman
46 C.A. Cannegieter Street
Philipsburg
Sint Maarten
Tel: 1-721 542 3704
Fax: 1-721 542 3569
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Boasman's Appointment as Labour Mediator a Conflict of Interest --- Boasman did not Resign as Director of Labour Department --- SG Refused to Comment.
Philipsburg:--- The appointment of Rafael Boasman as Mediator for the Department of Labour and Social Affairs created quite some confusion among the government apparatus on Monday, especially among persons working at the Department of Labour and Social Affairs.
Rafael Boasman is the Director of the Department of Labour and Social Affairs and Policy Adviser and to date he has not resigned from that position but the Minister of Labour, Health, and Social Affairs Cornelius de Weever has appointed Boasman to a position that is supposed to be independent from the Department of Labour and Social Affairs. In an official press release from the Ministry of Labour, Health, and Social Affairs Boasman was appointed as an Extra-Ordinary Mediator.
Boasman is supposed to report to the Secretary General of Health and Labour Joireen Wuite. When SMN News contacted Wuite on Monday to confirm whether or not Boasman resigned from the Department of Labour now that he has been appointed Extra-Ordinary Mediator of Labour Affairs Wuite said that while she knew about the developments surrounding the current Mediator and his position she was not aware of the official appointment of Mr. Boasman to the position, therefore she felt that the Minister who is currently off island should be contacted for a statement. "I am not aware of the appointment and the press release that was sent out regarding Mr. Boasman's appointment, therefore I don't think I should comment on this matter. I would advise you to ask the Minister of Labour, Health, and Social Affairs this question on Wednesday when he returns to St. Maarten," Wuite said.
