PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Justice Nathalie Tackling recently provided an update on the status of the immigration services backlog, reporting significant progress in processing applications. During a press briefing, the Minister indicated that her department is now largely operating within the legally mandated four-month decision period for complete applications.
This update follows previous statements from the Minister, who acknowledged the backlog was a serious issue, even suggesting it might be "man-made," and vowed to eliminate it entirely by January 2026.

According to Minister Tackling, progress is evident in the applications currently awaiting her final approval. She noted that she was recently signing off on permits submitted in early January, suggesting a much faster turnaround time than in previous months.
The Minister credited the dedicated staff at the admissions department for the improvements. "I know that the ladies are working very, very hard at admissions," she stated, highlighting their commitment. "They are sometimes there at six o'clock in the morning, already working into the nights, the weekends, so really doing their best to make up that backlog."

While acknowledging that some older files might still be in the system, Minister Tackling explained that delays are often due to incomplete applications. She clarified that if an application is missing required information, such as a work permit, the four-month processing clock does not start until the file is complete.
Based on the current workflow, the Minister expressed confidence that the major delays are a thing of the past. "I don't get the impression right now that there's an enormous backlog and that we're very much now sticking within that four-month period," she concluded.
When asked about a separate personnel matter concerning the head of immigration, Minister Tackling declined to comment, stating, "I won't comment in the press on any ongoing personnel matters within the ministry." The focus remains on streamlining the application process and delivering timely decisions for residents and businesses.

PHILIPSBURG:--- During his weekly press briefing, Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina provided an update on the ongoing dispute between the government and the WICSU/PSU union, which represents the nation's fire department workers. The Prime Minister outlined the key issues at the heart of the impasse and detailed the government's efforts to resolve them.
Dr. Mercelina identified several core components of the dispute: negotiating a covenant, the placement process for workers under a new function book, retroactive payments, and the role of a mediator. He emphasized that his government has made significant progress on issues that remained unresolved for years under previous administrations.
"The government has unequivocally agreed to the retroactive payment for fire department workers," Dr. Mercelina stated, acknowledging it as a matter of respect for past service. He also confirmed that the placement process, based on the new function book published on March 25, 2025, is moving forward. This function book was approved by the Committee of Civil Servants Unions (CCSU), which represents all unions.
Flexibility has also been shown in negotiations. According to the Prime Minister, the government agreed to the union's request to change the government’s negotiating team to keep discussions moving forward. Furthermore, both parties mutually agreed to appoint a mediator to help bridge the divide, and that process recently commenced.
However, Dr. Mercelina expressed concern over new demands that have emerged just as mediation began. He noted that the union is now asking to negotiate directly with the full Council of Ministers, bypassing both the appointed mediator and the Minister of General Affairs.
A primary point of contention is the union's demand that a "commitment letter" be converted into a binding "agreement letter." The Prime Minister cautioned that he cannot sign an agreement containing provisions that lack a legal basis for execution.
"I must operate within the legal framework of our country," he explained. "I cannot, in good conscience, sign an agreement containing items that lack a legal basis for execution. Doing so would be irresponsible and would ultimately set up our workers for disappointment when those promises cannot be legally fulfilled."
Dr. Mercelina reiterated his commitment to finding a fair and sustainable solution. "My intention for the fire department is more than good, out of a good heart," he affirmed. "I want this problem to be solved as soon as possible." He urged a return to the agreed-upon mediation process to finalize an agreement that honors the firefighters while upholding the laws of St. Maarten.

PHILIPSBURG:---  During the weekly press briefing, Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina announced a historic step toward strengthening patient safety and professional standards with the introduction of a National Healthcare Professional Registry (HCPR). The Prime Minister described the new registry as a long-overdue reform aimed at improving healthcare quality for the people of St. Maarten.

Dr. Mercelina explained that over the years, the absence of a unified national system has led to ongoing confusion and limitations in recognizing qualified healthcare providers. “It is important for St. Maarten to have clarity on who is authorized to provide medical care in the country and what qualifications are required,” he stated. The current gap has at times created challenges that put patient safety and public trust at risk.

A particular challenge has been the reliance on international models, such as the Dutch BIG legislation. The Prime Minister noted that if the BIG law were strictly implemented, many competent doctors, even those who studied in other parts of Europe, would not qualify for registration in St. Maarten. “We’ve seen cases where highly qualified specialists from abroad, including European-trained doctors outside the Netherlands, were unable to practice here because their credentials were not recognized under the BIG requirements,” Mercelina said. This has sometimes forced the country to turn away much-needed expertise and has even led to situations in which specialists could operate elsewhere but not in St. Maarten due to legal technicalities.

Reflecting on this, Dr. Mercelina emphasized that HCPR is designed to address these long-standing barriers. The new registry will be custom-made for St. Maarten, ensuring local needs and realities are front and center. The HCPR will not only clarify who is authorized to deliver care but also set clear qualification requirements, ensuring a transparent and fair process.

Key Challenges and Context:

The BIG registration system, originating from the Netherlands, has been a significant hurdle for St. Maarten. While the Netherlands has robust educational institutions that ensure the quality of medical professionals, St. Maarten faces a different reality. The island does not have the same influx of medical professionals and must rely on expertise from other countries, such as Colombia and Venezuela.

Dr. Mercelina highlighted the contributions of foreign-trained specialists like Dr. Rojas, Dr. Ramos, and Dr. Pinto, who have been instrumental in providing urological care on the island. Their success underscores the potential of welcoming professionals from diverse backgrounds. However, the current reliance on the Dutch system has made it difficult to attract such talent, as the BICH registration does not address St. Maarten's unique needs.

Additionally, the island's healthcare system requires generalists capable of managing a wide range of medical cases, from trauma to routine surgeries. This contrasts with the highly specialized roles common in larger countries, making it challenging to find professionals who can adapt to St. Maarten's demands. Dr. Mercelina noted that generalists on the island often face situations requiring immediate and versatile responses, without the luxury of academic backup or advanced technology.

Features of the HCPR:

• Mandatory Registration: All healthcare professionals working in St. Maarten must register and periodically re-register.
• Continuous Professional Development: The registry will require ongoing education to ensure professionals remain current with medical advances.
• Competency and Skills Assessments: The system will ensure practitioners maintain high standards by regularly evaluating their skills.
• International Recognition: Importantly, the HCPR will recognize approved foreign medical registers and create an admission pathway for foreign-trained professionals, assessing not only their knowledge and technical expertise but also their familiarity with the local healthcare context.

Development and Implementation:

The development process for the HCPR began in 2019 with extensive consultation from healthcare professionals and reference to international examples. The draft legislation is currently under review at the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development, and Labor (VSA) before proceeding to parliamentary debate and eventual implementation.

Importance of the HCPR:

Dr. Mercelina stressed that the registry is not just a regulatory tool but a commitment to better, safer, and more accountable healthcare. It aims to attract professionals tailored to St. Maarten's unique needs, ensuring the island's healthcare system can meet the demands of its population and the new hospital.

He also emphasized the need for St. Maarten to establish its own legislation to serve its people effectively. “We are part of the kingdom, but we must be able to make legislation that is actually going to be beneficial to serve the people of St. Maarten,” he stated. The HCPR represents a critical reform that will support the medical community and reassure everyone who relies on their care.

Prime Minister Mercelina closed by expressing his personal commitment to seeing the HCPR become law. “This registry is not just a regulatory tool, but a promise to our people for better, safer, and more accountable healthcare in St. Maarten. It is a critical reform that will support our medical community and reassure everyone who relies on their care.”

PHILIPSBURG:--- PM Mercelina Criticizes Political Games in Parliament, Cites Disservice to Frontline Workers
Philipsburg — During the government’s weekly press briefing, Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina delivered a pointed critique of recent developments in Parliament, warning that continued political gamesmanship is undermining efforts to resolve critical issues facing St. Maarten’s frontline workers, particularly members of the Fire Department.
Dr. Mercelina described his frustration over what he termed “the prioritization of political maneuvering over the urgent needs of our public servants.” He stressed that while the government has worked to address the ongoing dispute with the Fire Department union—especially regarding retroactive payments, job placements, and the implementation of a new function book—legislative inaction has stalled tangible progress. “These issues are not new. We have worked hard to agree on retroactive payments and to ensure the correct placement process for our workers, all guided by the newly adopted function book,” he said. “But time and again, the focus is shifted away from solutions.”

In a sharp rebuke of the current situation, the Prime Minister expressed deep disappointment with the conduct of certain elected officials. "We all realize that those politicians are not getting the traction that they are getting with the people of St. Martin. I personally believe it's a disgrace to the people of St. Martin that we have at this particular moment a Parliament that is playing with an issue and a matter that is of the essence and of safety and security for the country of St. Martin," Dr. Mercelina stated
Referring to last Thursday’s parliamentary walkout, sparked by his absence due to official business in Aruba, the Prime Minister confirmed that Deputy Prime Minister Grisha Heyliger Marten had been authorized to handle matters in his stead. “Parliament is well aware that there are proper procedures in place for representation. Walking out did nothing but delay the critical conversations that our community so desperately needs to move forward,” he stated.
Addressing the failed follow-up meeting scheduled for Tuesday, February 3rd, Dr. Mercelina noted that several opposition MPs were absent. He said the opposition members of parliament are the ones who requested the meeting, and when the meetings are scheduled, there is no show. It should be noted that three of the opposition Members of Parliament are off-island, and the chair of Parliament failed to convene the meeting on Monday, February 2nd, 2026.
Dr. Mercelina provided a comprehensive update on the government’s steps to resolve the dispute, noting that negotiations with the union had already resulted in agreements on retroactive payments and that the appointment of a mediator had been completed to help bridge outstanding gaps. He explained, “We have moved forward in good faith, agreeing to a mediator and making progress on virtually all substantive issues. However, the union’s shifting demands, particularly the recent push for all ministers to join the talks directly, create unnecessary complexity and risk undermining the entire mediation process.”
The Prime Minister also raised concerns about demands for a “commitment letter” that would commit the government to actions lacking a solid legal basis. “Governance must rest on agreements that can actually be realized. It does not serve anyone to make promises we cannot fulfill within the legal framework of our country,” he emphasized.
Looking at the broader impact of these political maneuvers, Dr. Mercelina argued that each delay and act of posturing sends a discouraging message to frontline employees. “These delays do not just slow progress—they hurt the trust, morale, and financial security of our firefighters and other dedicated civil servants. Our focus has to be on outcomes, not optics.”
He concluded with a call to action, urging all representatives, regardless of party, to recommit to working for the benefit of St. Maarten’s people. “Parliament must set aside tactics and self-interest and return to the business of real governance. The lives and livelihoods of our frontline workers, and indeed the standard of governance for St. Maarten, depend on it.”