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Minister Tackling responds to NAPB’s misinformation on National Decrees, urges professionalism.

nathalietackling08092024PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Justice Nathalie Tackling has issued a firm response to the recent statements made by the NAPB police union regarding the status of national decrees for justice workers. The Minister reaffirmed her commitment to a fair and structured placement process while rejecting misinformation and public tactics that create unnecessary unrest.

“I take seriously my responsibility to ensure that justice workers receive their rightful placements through a fair and structured process. However, I will not accept the spreading of misinformation or public tactics that create unnecessary unrest, especially when those involved know the facts and have had every opportunity to engage with me directly,” stated Minister Tackling.

Since taking office, Minister Tackling has engaged transparently with all unions, including the NAPB, to address longstanding issues related to national decrees. The Minister emphasized that the NAPB has two representatives directly involved in finalizing these batches, making their recent public statements misleading.

The handling of every batch is different, there are no timelines to batches to ensure that everyone receives their entitlements correctly to avoid objections as was experienced with previous batches. A batch is comprised of 20 to 25 individual files, which must be scrutinized properly as everyone is different, and the duration depends on the complexity of the individual cases involved.

Clarifying the Facts:
To address the misinformation, Minister Tackling set the record straight on several points:

  • On Batch 13: “I did not state that all national decrees for Batch 13 would be completed by the end of January. What I have said was that the staff of the Point Blanche Prison would receive their placement proposals, an important step in a thorough validation process that ensures every decree is issued correctly.”
  • On Delays: “The NAPB’s representatives in this process are aware that the committee they sit on only provided 16 case files for Batch 13 instead of the standard 20 to 25, directly affecting the timeline. The additional 9 case files for this batch were presented to the Ministry by said Committee on January 30th, 2025. Yet the NAPB fails to mention this publicly.”
  • On the Batching System: “It was not my decision to divide all placements within the Ministry into batches and across different departments at different times. This approach was agreed upon by all stakeholders, including NAPB, before my tenure, and I am now left to execute and improve where I can. Accelerating the process will not help but hurt members of NAPB when mistakes are made.”
  • On Previous Administration Gaps: “When I assumed office, I was not provided with any transition document outlining the status of these decrees. I had to reconstruct the process from the ground up while correcting previous mistakes and ensuring we learned from past complaints. As an attorney, I will not be rushed into shortcuts that could jeopardize the integrity of this process.”
  • On Union Conduct: “Why was the protocol of bringing concerns to the CCSU not followed? Of all the unions, why is the NAPB the only one that does not know what’s going on when they are the only union with two members actively working on the batches?”

Minister Tackling also criticized the NAPB for bypassing her office and instead taking their concerns to the Prime Minister. “What is particularly disingenuous is that instead of bringing this matter to me, the NAPB had no issue finding their way to the Prime Minister’s office this morning. If they are truly committed to their members, they should address their concerns with me directly. Public grandstanding and misinformation will not move this process forward; only honest and professional engagement will.”

Despite the challenges, Minister Tackling reaffirmed her empathy for justice workers and their frustrations. “I have complete empathy for the justice workers and fully understand their frustration in not having their proper placements secured. That is exactly why I am working diligently and responsibly to finalize this process the right way. However, I cannot perform miracles, and these types of tactics only take away from the real work being done.”

Minister Tackling urged for professionalism moving forward. “I hope that this is the last time I have to address such reckless, divisive, and counterproductive tactics. My priority remains ensuring that justice workers receive what they are owed properly, lawfully, and without political interference. If the NAPB is serious about its role, they will work with me, not against me.”


Reminder: U.S. Consular Services Visit set for February 21 by Appointment Only.

PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):---  The United States Consulate General in Curacao will be sending a consular officer to Sint Maarten to provide services to American Citizens.

The consular officer will be providing services on Friday, February 21 from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM.

Services are by appointment only. After requesting an appointment, the person will receive instructions on how to prepare for your requested service.

U.S. citizens who need any of the following services: U.S. passport applications; Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) applications; and Document notarizations, need to make an appointment by emailing: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

People are asked to read the instructions carefully in order to avoid delays.

On Friday, February 21, the U.S. consular officer will be providing the services by appointment out of the following venue: Government Administration Building, Soualiga Road #1, Conference Room #1 (on the ground floor).

Those who have secured an appointment, once they reach the entrance of the Government Administration Building, they should inform security that they have come for U.S. consular services and will then be instructed where to go.

The Committee of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports Affairs of Parliament to meet regarding the State of Education Report 2020-2022.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Permanent Committee of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports Affairs (CECYSA) of Parliament will be meeting on February 13, 2025.

The committee meeting is scheduled for Thursday at 14.00 hrs. in the Legislative Hall at Wilhelminastraat #1 in Philipsburg. The Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, Ms. Melissa D. Gumbs, will be present.

The agenda points are:
1. Incoming documents

2. State of Education Report 2020-2022 (IS/886/2023-2024 dated June 28, 2024)

Members of the public are invited to the House of Parliament to attend parliamentary deliberations. All persons visiting the House of Parliament must adhere to the house rules.

The House of Parliament is located across from the Court House in Philipsburg.

The parliamentary sessions will be carried live on TV 15, Soualiga Headlines, via SXM GOV radio FM 107.9, via Pearl Radio FM 98.1, the audio via the internet, www.youtube.com/c/SintMaartenParliament and www.pearlfmradio.sx

𝗦𝘁. 𝗠𝗮𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗺 𝗕𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘂 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗯𝗯𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗲𝗱 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀.

tourism12022025PHILIPSBURG:--- The St. Maarten Tourism Bureau (STB) continues to elevate the island’s presence across the Caribbean, reinforcing its reputation as a premier travel destination. As part of this strategic initiative, STB has partnered with renowned social media personality Daniel Loveless as a Caribbean Cultural Ambassador to amplify the island’s vibrance, culture, and unique experiences.

During his recent visit, Loveless showcased St. Maarten’s diverse offerings through his popular What Yuh Know social media platforms, reaching his vast audience of over 1 million viewers across the entire Caribbean region. From exhilarating adventures to mouthwatering cuisine and engaging with the island’s warm, multi-cultural community, his content captured the very essence of St. Maarten—the people, experiences, and energy that make it an unforgettable destination.

Adding a deeper, more introspective layer to his storytelling, Daniel engaged with diverse individuals to share their personal journeys of resilience, hard work, and survival through faith.
These powerful interviews brought Kenny, a local, young, hardworking entrepreneur, to the forefront. His deeply moving life experiences touched countless individuals and created pathways for new opportunities in youth empowerment. His story resonates with hope and determination, igniting a spark in others to chase their dreams.

Daniel's profound range of interviews provided an inspiring glimpse from both the travelers' and local perspectives, highlighting everyday life on the island. This resonated deeply with his audience and created meaningful connections through a more compassionate outlook on positioning St. Maarten as a desirable destination.

As part of his efforts, Daniel also highlighted St. Maarten’s iconic events, encouraging travelers to mark their calendars and join "Daniel & Friends" on the island for must-attend experiences such as:

▪︎ St. Maarten Heineken Regatta (March 6-9): A world-famous sailing event with iconic entertainment.

▪︎SXM Festival (March 12-16): A free-flowing celebration of music, art, cuisine, and lifestyles.

▪︎ St. Maarten Carnival (April 21-May 5): The island’s major cultural spectacle.

▪︎ Soul Beach Music Festival (May 21-26) A fusion of music and beachside entertainment.

This initiative was made possible through a collaboration with LIAT 2020 Limited, which is currently offering a 25% discount on all Caribbean flights, making travel to St. Maarten even more accessible. Hospitality partner Holland House Beach Hotel provided premier beachfront accommodations, ensuring a seamless and luxurious stay for Loveless and his team.

Further expanding its reach, STB has embarked on a collaborative campaign with The Vacation Connection, a leading Trinidad-based travel agency, to launch a variety of St. Maarten vacation packages within that market. This offer includes airfare and hotel stays at Commodore Suites, Holland House Beach Hotel, Simpson Bay Beach Resort, or Oyster Bay Resort, providing travelers with a variety of accommodation options tailored to their preferences.

For more information, please contact IMBRACE GROUP, Caribbean Agent, St. Maarten Tourism Bureau at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it./ This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Progress in the labour market in Latin American and the Caribbean remains insufficient - new ILO report

~Despite some progress, a new ILO report highlights that labor informality, gender gaps, and access to formal employment for the youth remain key barriers to a more equitable labor market in Latin America and the Caribbean.~



LIMA (ILO News) – Five years after the COVID-19 pandemic, Latin America and the Caribbean region has achieved relative stability in key labour market indicators, but structural challenges affecting employment quality and deepening inequalities remain. This is according to the "2024 Labour Overview of Latin America and the Caribbean", the latest report from the International Labour Organization (ILO). 

The report reveals that between 2023 and 2024, the employment rate in the region increased by 0.5 percentage points, reaching 58.9 per cent, while the unemployment rate decreased from 6.5 per cent to 6.1 per cent. Despite these short-term improvements, however, labour force participation and employment levels remain below those recorded in 2012, reflecting insufficient job creation in recent years. 

"The region has reached employment levels not seen since before the COVID-19 pandemic, but the outlook remains concerning: we are in the same situation as ten years ago. Economic growth is slowing down, and structural deficiencies in job creation persist," explained Ana Virginia Moreira Gomes, ILO Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean.

 It is time to push for reforms that enable sustained progress and prevent stagnation.

Ana Virginia Moreira Gomes, ILO Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean

Gender inequality and persistent informality 

Despite progress, gender gaps between women and men in the labour market remain a major concern. In 2024, the female labour force participation rate stood at 52.1 per cent, significantly below that of men (74.3 per cent). This implies that less women are working or actively looking for a job. Moreover, women earn on average 20 per cent less than men, continue to face higher unemployment rates and are found in lower-quality jobs. 

 "Gender disparities in employment remain a fundamental obstacle to achieving true labour equality in the region. Despite some progress, the gender pay gap and gender-based occupational segregation continue to limit opportunities for women," emphasized Gerson Martinez, Regional Specialist in Labour Economics at the ILO Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean and lead author of the report. 

The report also found that that informality remained a predominant feature of the labour market in the region, at a rate of 47.6 per cent, slightly lower than in 2023 (48 per cent). This poses a challenge to employment quality and social inclusion because it means that nearly half of the workers in Latin America and the Caribbean have precarious contracts, unstable incomes, lack of social security, and increased economic vulnerability. Moreover, the majority of those impacted are female and young workers. 

While some countries in the region have made progress in transitioning to the formal economy, others still face alarmingly high rates of informal employment. These high informality levels continue to undermine the ability to achieve decent working conditions.  

Youth employment: A key challenge for the future of the region

Youth employment emerged as one of the biggest challenges in the labour outlook of Latin America and the Caribbean. Despite a slight decline in the youth unemployment rate, from 14,5 per cent in 2023 to 13.8 per cent in 2024, it is still nearly three times higher than that of adults. Opportunities for young people aged 15 to 24 remain limited, especially in a context of high informality and insufficient job creation. 

As a result, the ILO report found that the lack of stable and paid jobs for young people remains one of the main concerns for the future of the region’s labour market. High informality, low economic productivity and low wages continue to constrain employment prospects for youth. 

"It is essential for countries in the region to develop policies that effectively integrate young people into the formal labour market. This means promoting technical and vocational education, as well as developing national care systems to help more women, especially young women, take part in the labour market . Countries must also work towards creating more formal jobs that provide stability and sustainable professional development," explained Martinez. 

Urban and rural gaps 

The report found persistent labour market gaps between urban and rural areas. In 2024, the employment rate in urban areas reached 59,1 per cent, surpassing pre-pandemic levels of 2019 (58 per cent). In contrast, rural areas have yet to fully recover with an employment rate of 52.3% in 2024 compared to 53.1 per cent in 2019. The gap in economic participation between urban and rural areas remains significant, with urban areas maintaining a 3.2 percentage point advantage.  

Outlook for 2025: Strengthening job recovery and advancing formalization 

The unemployment rate is projected to remain between 5.8 per cent and 6.2 per cent in 2025, within a context of moderate economic growth. "Advancing social justice in Latin America and the Caribbean is urgent. To achieve this, it is essential to promote policies based on effective tripartite social dialogue that builds on the progress made and foster stronger employment growth, with a particular focus on labour formalization," concluded Moreira Gomes


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