Philipsburg:--- A few more security guards that are working for Blend In Security which is owned and operated by the former Chief Commissioner of Police Derrick Holiday have decided to come forward to plea with the Governor of St. Maarten as well as with the Government of St. Maarten to end their plight.
Rodlette Saul, a security guard who is working at Bobby's Marina, told SMN News that he began working for Blend In Security about a year ago. He said he is one of the victims of the Pelican layoff and since working for Blend In Security Company he has been receiving his salary late each month. Saul said last month he was paid on the 17th and company short paid him by $180.00 while they also deducted $125 for a theft that took place while he was not on duty. Saul said that on Monday six security guards were told that they cannot be paid on Monday as promised by the company because the company accountant (Clayton Holiday) did not make up their pay-slips and he is currently off island. "The boss said the cheques are ready but the pay-slips are not ready therefore we cannot get our salaries. Last month I got a cheque but when I went to the bank there was not any monies on the account."
Saul said that he has bills including his rent to pay and while there are six security guards at Bobby's Marina who are in the same predicament, the others are afraid to speak up because each time a worker of Blend In Security spoke out against the labour abuse they endure that person is fired by Derrick Holiday.
Saul said he is becoming frustrated with the situation because he worked for 12 years for the Pelican Resort and he still cannot get his payout for the 12 years he worked as a permanent worker.
Anthony Godet who was dismissed and is a pioneer for the workers explained that since he is not being paid by Blend In Security he is not able to support his children. Godet said he is now charged with babysitting his three small children because he can no longer give his ex wife the child support she is due to pay for daycare. He said his smallest son is dropped off at his house at 7am and he is being picked up at 5pm while his other two children join him at 1:30pm because he cannot afford to pay for his children's afternoon school. Godet said he also received notification from his landlord on Monday to vacate her property because he cannot pay the rent.
When asked by SMN News if he is not one of Derrick Holiday's best friends and drinking partners, Godet said that Holiday is indeed his friend and while he used to be drinking with Mr. Derrick Holiday he also used speak with Holiday about how he was treating his workers. Godet said he was also an adviser to Holiday since he once owned a security company. Godet said Holiday is not bad person, but in his opinion Holiday is in need of psychological assistance for his drinking and gambling addictions.
Another worker who contacted SMN News on the condition of anonymity said she too is not being paid on time and she also having trouble paying her bills and taking care of her minor children. The worker said that she is fearful of speaking on the record because whenever someone speaks out they are being victimized and fired. "We are not speaking about an Indian or a foreign investor, we are talking about the Governor's brother and a Holiday." SMN News was told that while Mr. Holiday is not paying his workers he is now driving around the island undercover in a rental vehicle.
Listen to the interview with Blend in security workers:
