Arnel who holds a masters degree said she received a sanction on Thursday when she was informed that she was going to be taking up a new position over the dispensaries, while she has been the acting director of the social services for the past two years without a director. Arnel has served 25 years as a social worker with the General Council and she also holds a degree in management of sanitary and social affairs.(BAC+5 that is equivalent to a Masters Degree). Arnel said she had quite some challenges when she began setting up the social services on St. Martin because those in charge wanted things to be done outside of the law as if the island was part of a banana republic, something she is totally against.
Arnel said one of the DGA Regine Ramassamy recently went back to her island after she was recalled by the General Council. She said that position will now be held by the DGS Pascal Avern. Avern she said will be holding two positions in the COM, while there are qualified locals sitting on the side line.
Arnel said she was informed in a meeting that the COM is reorganizing the services and that they are making changes whereby she will be removed from her position. Arnel said she was an acting director now she is given a position as charge de mission which does not entail a promotion with salaries or benefit neither does it correspond to her qualifications. She said according to the law she is supposed to be promoted after three years of service but that has not happened. Arnel said she was made to understand that another outsider would be taking up her position even though that person does not have the necessary qualification to hold such a position. Arnel said another top position in the social services is also held by Guyanaise person who also is not qualified yet they are earning huge salaries with house and car benefits.
Arnel named a number of persons who were brought in by the elected officials of the Union pour les Progres and the island she said went backwards by 10 years. She said there is one person who has more qualifications than the DGS and he is pushed aside. This person she said is waiting for the past four months and his expertise is not being used. Arnel said she felt that the people of St. Martin are being insulted with their educational achievements. Arnel named a number of persons who are currently holding the same position and are being paid for not doing anything that would benefit the island or its people. She said even though the elected officials know that certain persons are not qualified neither are they performing the duties they are paid to do, their contracts and benefits are being renewed at the expense of the people.
Arnel said three unions are now gearing up to take actions against the COM. She said the unions met with the COM and they have sent a number of letters regarding the labour abuse against the civil servants. Arnel said one of the reasons she has chosen to speak out is to make sure the population is aware of the current state of affairs of their country. Arnel said the St. Martin people should be first in their country and she cannot continue to accept the mediocrity that is currently being displayed by the elected officials. The French civil servants intend to join the national strike which is scheduled to take place on September 7th regarding the pensionable age while they would be preparing to take action against the injustice that are meted out against the locals.
