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Unfair Practices, Discrimination and Tax Evasion.

Dear Editor,

I am writing to bring to your attention the ongoing unfair practices at Hilton, Flamingo Beach Resort in the Timeshare Sales & Marketing Department that are negatively impacting local employees and potentially violating labor and taxation laws. These practices include:
1. Discrimination and Unfair Treatment:
Local employees are frequently subjected to discriminatory treatment, including harsher work conditions, lack of support, and retaliatory actions. Many have faced termination unjustly, which has fostered a hostile work environment.
2. Victimization of Local Staff:
Local employees are often singled out and victimized for expressing concerns or not conforming to the rigid, military-style management approach, which emphasizes control and intimidation rather than collaboration.
3. Preference for Foreign American Workers:
The company continuously hires mostly foreign American staff in preference to local employees. While diversity is welcome, this hiring practice seems to intentionally bypass local workforce participation and fair employment policies.
4. Tax Evasion Concerns:
There are indications that foreign staff are employed under arrangements designed to evade local taxation, undermining legal obligations and harming the community. They enter the Island territory on the pretense of being on vacation for three months, during which time they are working at Hilton. They then leave and go back to the United States or some other neighboring island for a few days, then return for another 3 months of work and continue to repeat the process.
These practices are not only unethical but also detrimental to the workforce, our local tax system, and the company’s reputation. I urge the government of St Maarten and the local authorities to look into these unlawful practices and to take the necessary and immediate action to address these issues.
• Ensuring fair treatment of all employees, regardless of their origin.
• Complying with local labor and taxation laws.
• Implementing a respectful and inclusive management style.


Authors name withheld upon request

 


Allegations of Fraud by St. Maarten Youth Council Association

Dear Editor,

I am contacting you regarding a very serious matter - a fraud committed by St. Maarten Youth Council Association, president Connie Francis Gumbs, and Ria Khudan.

Youth organizations from many EU countries took part in an Erasmus+ project, and even after 12 months, we are all still waiting to receive a travel refund from this organization that got the money from the European Commission for this project. 40 people from many NGOs across Europe are still waiting for their money, and Ms. Connie Gumbs is not answering our requests—which are over 40.000 euros!
The two projects were implemented in October and November 2023 in Rupert Maynard Community Center.

They have been reassuring us that the problem is a bank or something else, always something, and we have been waiting for a very long time. TSeveral weeks ago we found out that the bank proof of payments they have been sending to us were all fake, meaning this is a fraud, which was proved by our banks.

We contacted OLAF—European Anti-Fraud Office—and Windward Islands Bank because the fake documents had their logo. We still do not know if someone inside the bank is helping them or if they did it alone. They are already under investigation by Nationaal Agentschap Erasmus+ Jeugd (the National Agency in the Netherlands), and the European Commission has all the information on this case.

This is a very serious matter because of this NGO other NGOs on the island might lose funding from Erasmus+ and all stakeholders should be informed. We have already informed Minister Mr. Lewis about this matter.

 

Best regards,

Sanela Ravlić, Ph.D., Assistant Professor
President

Association for Community Development KREAKTIVA

A Letter from Under The Flamboyant Tree.

“Tribute to Keacy Carty: St. Maarten's Cricketing Trailblazer

Dear Editor,
In a world where cricket resonates as the heartbeat of the Caribbean, one name stands tall as an emblem of determination, skill, and national pride: St. Maarten’s own Keacy Carty. With a remarkable performance in the recent series against England, Keacy has not only captured the hearts of cricket enthusiasts but has also etched his name into the annals of St. Maarten’s history as its first cricketer to score a century in international cricket.
Although that I have not met him personally, I have been following his career from afar as an avid Cricket Fan. His journey from the vibrant streets of St. Maarten to the grand stages of International Cricket, is a testament to his unwavering dedication and passion for the sport. Keacy’s stellar performance showcased not just his cricketing prowess but also the spirit of resilience that defines the people of St. Maarten. Each run he scored was a celebration of his roots, a tribute to every aspiring cricketer in his homeland, and a message to the world that talent knows no boundaries.
In an exhilarating display of technique and composure, Keacy dazzled fans and critics alike, earning admiration across the Caribbean. His century is not just a personal triumph; it serves as an inspiration for future generations, proving that hard work and perseverance can lead to extraordinary achievements. Keacy has become a role model for young athletes, igniting a fire in their hearts and encouraging them to reach for their dreams.
Beyond the boundaries of cricket, Keacy’s character shines brightly. His humility, sportsmanship, and dedication to representing St. Maarten with pride resonate deeply with his fans. He embodies the spirit of unity and resilience that is intrinsic to Caribbean culture, reminding us all that success is sweetest when shared.
As we celebrate Keacy Carty and his monumental milestone, let us recognize the pride he brings to St. Maarten and the Caribbean. His journey is just beginning, and we eagerly await the many more milestones he will achieve. For now, let us revel in this historic moment and honor our national hero—the young man who dared to dream and who, with his bat in hand, has inspired a nation. I hope that with his achievement, it will help to motivate our Government to construct a Keacy Carty Cricket stadium, to not only train young St. Maarteners, but to host Regional and International Cricket tournaments, which will attract thousands of Cricket fans from around the World. Another boost for our Tourism.
Congratulations, Keacy Carty! The Caribbean stands proud of you, and we are excited to see where your incredible journey takes you next.
Sincerely,
Brian Meade
(An avid Cricket Fan)

After the Floods: A Call to Protect St. Martin’s Future.

Dear Editor,

Yesterday, on St. Martin Day, families across the island faced the aftermath of significant flooding. Heavy rains, increasingly severe due to climate change, left residents clearing mud, drying their homes, and salvaging belongings. This event underscores a critical reality: the impacts of climate change are intensifying and becoming harder to predict, challenging our island’s resilience with each storm.

These floods highlight broader issues in St. Martin’s approach to land use and development. Current policies often permit construction on hillsides without sufficient environmental safeguards, leading to widespread deforestation that leaves the land vulnerable. Without vegetation, these hillsides are exposed to erosion, turning rainfall into torrents of soil and water that flood residential areas, damaging homes and infrastructure. Construction without stringent environmental protections exacerbates these risks, making our communities more susceptible to the consequences of even moderate rainfall.

The recent floods reveal a need for stronger, more proactive measures to protect our island. Emergency pumps and reactive efforts are temporary fixes. True protection requires a shift in policy and planning. Protecting our hillsides through enforceable laws must be a priority, ensuring that the natural buffers we have are preserved and strengthened. These hillsides are vital to our island’s infrastructure, acting as barriers against floods and landslides; safeguarding them is not a restriction on growth but a necessary defense for public safety.

In addition to hillside protections, St. Martin must adopt sustainable urban planning practices to address these climate-related challenges. Development projects should include water retention zones, permeable surfaces to absorb rainfall, and mandatory environmental impact assessments that specifically examine risks related to water flow, soil stability, and erosion. Many regions facing similar climate vulnerabilities have implemented these practices effectively, proving that they are both feasible and essential to building climate resilience.

Updating our building codes is another important step. By requiring higher standards for construction techniques and materials, we can ensure that new structures are equipped to handle severe weather events. Enforcing these codes would reduce the long-term costs of emergency responses and repeated repairs, freeing resources for lasting resilience measures.

Engaging the community is also essential. Residents must be informed of the risks associated with hillside construction and educated on the value of preserving natural barriers. Effective climate resilience requires both institutional support and community involvement, fostering a culture of preparedness and conservation that extends beyond individual storms.

St. Martin Day reminds us of our shared commitment to this island, and yesterday’s floods emphasize the urgency of that commitment. Each storm, each flood, and each mudslide makes it clear that our approach must change. It is time for comprehensive hillside protection, sustainable urban planning, and stronger building standards. Only by addressing these root causes can we build a resilient future for St. Martin.

Tadzio Bervoets
Belair
Sint Maarten+1 721 5864588

 

The Irony of ‘The Bank’

By Terrance Rey


terrencerey14102024In the Netherlands, ABN AMRO Bank is commonly referred to as "The Bank." This nickname, which reflects its prominent role in the Dutch financial sector, underscores the central place ABN AMRO holds in the country’s financial landscape. Across the ocean in Curaçao and Sint Maarten, the Central Bank of Curaçao and Sint Maarten (CBCS) often calls itself "The Bank" in its press releases and on its website due to its indispensable role in the island economies. However, while "The Bank" in the Netherlands was nationalized during the financial crisis, the current rescue operation for ENNIA Caribe Leven N.V. (ECL) presents a very different picture. The irony is hard to miss.
During the 2008 financial crisis, ABN AMRO was on the brink of collapse. The Dutch government stepped in to prevent a bank run and further economic damage. The state bought shares in ABN AMRO, effectively nationalizing the bank. This gave the government control over the bank and allowed them to benefit from its profit potential.
After several years of restructuring, ABN AMRO stabilized and was partially re-listed on the stock exchange in 2015. The share sales brought the Dutch state a substantial profit, partially recouping the costs of the bailout. The nationalization not only protected the interests of Dutch taxpayers but also allowed the state to benefit from the bank's recovery.
While the Netherlands saved a financial institution through nationalization in 2008, the CBCS is taking a different approach to rescue ENNIA Caribe Leven in 2024. ENNIA, which has faced severe financial troubles for years, urgently needs a capital injection to resolve its solvency issues and provide security for its policyholders.
However, the proposed rescue does not include acquiring shares for the governments of Curaçao and Sint Maarten. The countries are being asked to provide funds to cover pension obligations without gaining ownership of ENNIA in return. Unlike the win-win scenario that the Netherlands created with ABN AMRO, Curaçao and Sint Maarten are left empty-handed, without any potential to earn a return on their investment or influence the management of ENNIA.
This is where the irony lies: while the Dutch government chose an approach for ABN AMRO that offered both financial stability and potential for profit, CBCS seems to miss this opportunity for Curaçao and Sint Maarten. Given the historical ties and influence of the Netherlands, one might expect that CBCS—where the Netherlands still wields significant influence—would choose a similar approach. Why is this not the case? Why aren’t Curaçao and Sint Maarten offered the same opportunity to become shareholders in ENNIA Caribe Leven as the Dutch government did with ABN AMRO?
A share in ENNIA Caribe Leven would not only offer security but also the chance for a return. It would give Curaçao and Sint Maarten more control over the future of the pension institution, enabling them to better protect the interests of their citizens. Yet, CBCS seems committed to a strategy where the burden is shared across the Caribbean countries without the benefits of ownership.
What we can learn from the nationalization of ABN AMRO is that ownership and financial involvement can go hand-in-hand with profit and influence. In the current situation with ENNIA, Curaçao and Sint Maarten have an opportunity to advocate for a strategy similar to that of the Netherlands. They could request a share in ENNIA Caribe Leven, ensuring that their taxpayers not only bear the burden but also benefit from potential long-term profits.
Shouldn’t CBCS do the same for ENNIA Caribe Leven as the Netherlands did for ABN AMRO? The irony is that the Central Bank that calls itself “The Bank” is offering the Caribbean countries a solution far removed from the model once followed in the Netherlands. It’s a paradox that raises questions about why the Dutch approach was good enough for “The Bank” in the Netherlands, but not for “The Bank” in Curaçao and Sint Maarten.
Only time will tell whether Curaçao and Sint Maarten will accept the current arrangement or have the courage to call CBCS out on this inconsistency. After all, if the Dutch approach was good enough for “The Bank” in the Netherlands, why should it not be good enough for “The Bank” in Curaçao and Sint Maarten?


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