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Home St. Maarten - St. Martin News Tripartite Committee and Labor Commissioner at Odds --- Workers discrimination continues with Labor Policy.

Tripartite Committee and Labor Commissioner at Odds --- Workers discrimination continues with Labor Policy.

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Philipsburg: --- The tripartite committee which was formulated by the Democratic Party executive council and the office of the commissioner of labor is at odds SMN News has learnt. Source says that the commissioner of labor is trying to get the committee around the table with other persons from the community to discuss certain matters in the amended labor policy which is currently in effect. SMN News also understands that the commissioner has intentions to restructure the committee since it was never ratified by the executive council of St. Maarten. SMN News further learnt that while there was an informal proposal the former executive council never deliberated on the installation of the committee. "One hears a lot about the tripartite committee and the role they play in labor related matters but the former government did not make it their business to legalize the committee" said one source.
However, other sources say that the members of the tripartite committee have documents that were signed by the former government and the Minister of Labor Bruney Elhage.
Well placed sources say that the commissioner has invited the committee to a meeting on July 15th and members of the committee requested a postponement which was granted to them. The new date for the meeting it is understood was set for July 28th at the government administrative building. However, some members of the committee caucused at the WIFOL building and decided they were going to boycott the meeting and submit a letter to the commissioner's office.

SMN News learnt that the members of the tripartite committee did not inform all parties that they had intended to boycott the meeting because the secretary of the UFA showed up to the meeting and was highly embarrassed with the tactics used by the members of the tripartite committee.

SMN News also learnt that while several members of the committee had agreed to attend the meeting, one member representing the Chamber of Commerce is the one they said instigated the other members to boycott the meeting for political reasons.
According to the letter submitted to the commissioner's office on Thursday afternoon it states that "following the second request to have a meeting with the Tripartite Committee that will include other partners in the community and has an agenda point "Restructuring of the Tripartite Committee" as mentioned as an agenda point in your mail of July 15th we the SHTA, the Chamber of Commerce, the UFA, and the WIFOL are hereby informing you of the following. Considering that the Tripartite Committee that was officially established through the recommendations of the Minister of Economy and Labor Bruney Elhage and confirmed by besluit 3993/06 on July 19 2006 and also ratified in a letter from the executive council 1175/09 on April 2 2009.

The committee is officially established comprises of two representatives from labor, the UFA, and the WIFOL representing the island government: The labor department and a representative of the Minister.
As such the members of the committee are of the opinion that before any initiative to be taken with regards to any changes to be brought to the present tripartite committee a meeting should take place with the current members first.

SMN News further learnt that the intention of government is to broaden the committee with other members from the private sector and the unions. One of the persons they said government intends to add to the committee is the CBA representative Elco Rosario someone the business sector is contesting because this person they said filed bankruptcy and he should not be a representative of the private sector.

Currently the office of the labor commissioner is dealing with several cases where workers are being penalized based on the current labor policy and they were hoping that the committee would have assisted in finding solutions for the grey areas of the policy.
While some adjustments were made to the age limit in the amended labor policy they said that are several persons who are currently working and had working permits in the past can no longer get their permit renewed. SMN News learnt that several security companies on the island are scratching their heads into finding a solution for their workers.
Managing Director of Checkmate Security Michael Kuiperi said currently his company has four workers working illegally due to the age limit. Kuiperi said one of his employees is 24 years of age and she has working documents three times before and now her papers were denied because she is not 25 years old. The businessman said his workers have been contributing to society and they are paying their dues yet government is not able to find a solution to regulate the so called grey areas in the labor yet they were able to find perfect solutions for those persons who applied for the Brooks Tower Permits.

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Such Crap
July 30, 2010
200.7.51.31
Votes: +0

It seems that when this new law, or old law that only went into affect last year, was not thought out at all by those who made it. How can workers, who have had existing papers for 2 to 3 years, aged 23 but under 25 be denied a renewal of their legal right to work and live the right way on this island because when they decided to put this law in affect, they didnt consider those who already had their documents. Is it not logical that when that so called and I believe idiotic law went into affect, they considered ONLY those who are now applying for their documents. ANG 1600.00 is alot of hard earned money to pay and then to have the department reject it based on what? The labor department has no idea what they are doing. Its all one big mess. Like the article states above, we have one officer who went to school at academy, had 2 set of documents approved and when he went to renew last year, paid his $$$ they rejected it based on he wasnt 25 yet. Come on, how stupid is that. Thats stealing is what I think. This is just one, we have 3 others with the same story. And why take the peoples money and then reject it? State from day one, dont give a crappy tale like " we have to accept all documents turned in", is what one worker stated at the labor department. People are trying to do the right thing, but this labor deal will just make people say "to hell with it". Another stupid law they have created is the age of 57. So, here you have someone whos 56, working for 8 to 9 years, submitting his documents yearly, he hits 57 and then BAM, sorry, you cant work legally anymore, you have to leave the island. Having made SXM his home, placed his kids in schools here, contributed to society, paid his taxes, there going to up and say, " sorry, pack your s**t up and go. My 11 year old could tell you that is so sensless. How stupid does that sound. I hope someone with a little common sense can make things right and fix these useless laws implimented. If they need help, my daughter can assist.

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Age limit?
July 30, 2010
200.7.57.35
Votes: -2

I agree, illegal persons are being granted permit, some for 3 years without have to renew their work permit. Why put a age limit anyway. Was it to give our local youth the change to get a job. It is not working, I work with youth and no young 'local' wants to do work in security, or in construction or any other hard labor. All this age limit does is create problems and headaches for employers. Get rid of this rule as soon as possible, or lower it to 21 years old I suggest. Or maintain it for certain types of jobs. And what do you thinks foreigner youths might do is they cannot work. They will break into our house and make SXM worse then it already is. All I am saying is that the labor department creates more problems then solutions with this age limit rule.

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Surprised
August 01, 2010
200.7.38.186
Votes: +0

The comments above doesn't surprise me. Our company is also experiencing the same. Whenever you get some civil servants with absolutely no business background making laws without consulting the business community you will get these result and you know what? They don't care ! They receive their monthly salary anyhow which by the way is paid by us the tax payers. We had two cases where the permit was rejected by the labor department because of age limit and they went to the Brokes Tower on their own and received this. This is the most ridiculous system that they could have ever put in place. Wake up and help those who are paying you !

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Born St.Maartener
August 01, 2010
200.7.42.154
Votes: +1

Well if they dont start somewhere....i dont know what will happen....and these people should have their decisions more transparent before doing things to bite them in the butt too..Sorry for all who will be hurt but things are becoming out of hand here on the island..

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Born St.Maartener
August 01, 2010
200.7.42.154
Votes: +1

Where ever you go in the world today you have to abide by the laws...but here in St.Maarten where people can take the gouverment to court and win...so you all can go ahead...If i was the leader of gouverment i would certainly clean up and ship out...

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