Philipsburg:--- The President and Vice President of the Windward Islands Chamber of Labour Unions (WICLU) made clear that they have no problem with the Minister appointing Rafael Boasman as an extra-ordinary mediator.
President of the WICLU, Theophilus Thompson said that during the time the former Chief of Police was in the position as the labour mediator the department was not functioning optimally. Thompson said that there were several cases that had to be dealt with and Holiday did not do what was necessary. He said while the mediator has to be an independent body from the Department of Labour and Social Affairs it should be clear that anyone that is in that position must know the island labour laws. Thompson said as it is now the persons that are appointed to certain positions have no knowledge or is not qualified for the positions they are given. He said appointments are done now depending on the political parties the candidate supports or is aligned with. Thompson said Derrick Holiday had no knowledge of the labour laws, he was an officer of the law, therefore he is of the opinion that Holiday could not function optimally. Thompson said that in the past Kenneth Lopes was the head of the Federal Labour Department and he was also the mediator on St. Maarten. During those years he said that the labour stakeholders were getting more services and most importantly when there was an impasse locally St. Maarten was able to get extra-ordinary mediators from Curacao to intervene. Thompson said the situation changed but he assured that the union will continue to monitor the situation and to see who the Minster will appoint to the position.
Vice President of the WICLU and President of the WITU Claire Elshot also told reporters that the WICLU and WITU were contacted prior to the appointment of Boasman. Elshot said that the union was told Boasman will only act as a mediator when there is a referendum that has to be conducted. Elshot said she was told by certain members of the media that there is a conflict of interest now that Boasman has been appointed. However, Elshot said Boasman will not be in the position permanently and they are looking forward to see when the Ministry will publish the vacancy so that competent persons on St. Maarten could apply. Both the President and Vice President said they want to be part of the negotiations and the selection of the person to fill the position.
