PHILIPSBURG:--- The simmering frustrations of St. Maarten’s frontline workers have reached a boiling point. On August 21, 2025, members of the Fire and Ambulance Departments, fed up with years of neglect and disrespect, took their grievances directly to the heart of government. In an unprecedented move, these essential workers disrupted a public meeting of Parliament at 2 PM, demanding immediate attention to their plight.
The workers, who have been engaged in a "go-slow" action since August 6, 2025, are resolute in their stance. Their message is clear: enough is enough. The disruption forced Parliament to convene an urgent Central Committee meeting at 5 PM, where representatives of the Fire and Ambulance Departments, alongside their union leader Sharon Cannegieter, laid bare the dire conditions they endure daily.
A Cry for Justice: Years of Neglect and Broken Promises
The grievances presented to Parliament paint a grim picture of systemic neglect. Firefighters and ambulance workers revealed that they are often forced to work 24-hour shifts but are only compensated for 14 hours. Many earn a meager salary of just Cg2000, barely enough to support their families.
Adding insult to injury, these workers have been operating with limited staff and outdated equipment, putting both their lives and the public’s safety at risk. Despite repeated attempts to address these issues, their concerns have been met with indifference. A scheduled meeting with the Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina on August 6, 2025, was unceremoniously canceled, and a subsequent letter to the Prime Minister was dismissed with a perfunctory response from his Chief of Staff.
Ambulance workers, in particular, expressed their frustration with the Minister of VSA, Richinel Brug. Quarterly meetings with the Minister have yielded no tangible results, leading the workers to declare that they will no longer engage in fruitless discussions.
Disrespect Reaches a Tipping Point
The situation escalated on August 21 when frontline workers felt the full weight of disrespect from the government. Their decision to disrupt Parliament was not taken lightly but was a necessary step to force action.
Union President Sharon Cannegieter, a steadfast advocate for these workers, secured the urgent meeting with Parliament. During the session, representatives from both departments detailed the years of neglect and the toll it has taken on their morale and well-being.
“These are the people who run into burning buildings and respond to life-threatening emergencies, yet they are treated as an afterthought,” Cannegieter stated. “The government’s failure to act is not just disrespectful—it’s dangerous.”
A Broken System: The Human Cost of Government Apathy
The testimonies shared during the meeting were harrowing. Workers recounted the physical and emotional toll of their jobs, exacerbated by the government’s failure to provide adequate support.
One firefighter described the exhaustion of working 24-hour shifts with no relief. At the same time, an ambulance worker spoke of the heartbreak of being unable to provide for their family on a paltry salary.
The lack of action from the government has left these workers with no choice but to continue their go-slow action. They have vowed to provide only emergency services until their demands are met.
A Call to Action
The message to Parliament was unequivocal: the time for empty promises is over. The Fire and Ambulance Departments are demanding immediate action to address their grievances, including fair compensation, adequate staffing, and respect for their contributions.
As the go-slow action continues, the government must grapple with the reality that the safety and well-being of St. Maarten’s residents are at stake. The frontline workers have made it clear that they will not back down until meaningful change is achieved.
The ball is now in the government’s court. Will they rise to the occasion and address the legitimate concerns of these essential workers, or will they continue to ignore the very people who risk their lives to protect the community? The eyes of St. Maarten are watching.