Presidents of the various unions affiliated in the WICLU, esteem boardmembers and the workers of Country Sint MaartenThis year’s Labor Day will be more of a deep reflection than a celebration of our local heroes as most historic or who have made an impact and who has played a vital role behind the scenes in the spirit of labor. That has become our norm for the celebration of this historic day, that is Internationally celebrated with parades of protest, demonstrations and widespread violence in the street of many larger countries throughout the worldWorkers usually would march through the streets while chanting and holding up message against the different forms of abuse and violations in the workplace and publicly saying NO to all the different forms of abuse.
With the world being affected by the COVID-19 virus the tone of this celebration is most likely to change completely given the impact that this virus has had on the health,social and economic structures in our societies. While workers are not willing to risk their health, we must commend our frontline workers in Sint Maarten and around the world and recognize them as our local, regional and international heroes, who are making an historic impact on this Labor Day 2020. We, as Presidents of the various unions Salute you, as workers on the frontline and commend you all for your great and dedicated services to All. As unions we continue to demand the standards of occupational health and safety in the workplace and denounce any violations thereforce. In retrospect as Presidents of unions we have to continue to evaluate the consequences and negative impact that this pandemic would have on the workers of our country.
Government all over the world has estimated and evaluated their reality based on the fact that the necessary lockdown has created a number social and economic challenges for the workers. Sad enough our government have not been able to structurally evaluate the impact this pandemic has caused on the formal and informal economy in Sint Maarten. This have left many workers with many questions and many employers with questionable acts. Unionized workers as well as non-unionized workers, permanent as well as contract workers, workers in the formal as well as workers in the informal economy are all face wity enormous challenges. Our Governments has time and time again failed the workers by not enacting legislation for the social protection of the worker’s rights and benefits,unemployment benefits, living wages, cost of living adjustments to safeguard the purchasing power of the workers and correct the inflation on the prices of basic goods and services.
Employers consequently defy the few outdated labour laws, by frequently using loopholes to make different forms of abuse of their position to terminate workers during natural disasters and this pandemic of COVID-19.
I dare say that as union we breathe a sigh of relief when we heard the announcement of “payroll assistance ” and of stimulus packages for businesses to circumvent mass layoffs or termination of workers. This would have to prevent a rise in the unemployment. I must say we are all disappointed that this is exactly what is happening at this moment without the government departments or labour mediator being involved. Some employers do this without consultation with the unions using the phrase “termination by mutual agreement” and cunningly bypassing a number of important step that has to be taken in any proces of termination.As unions we have to be vigilant and educate our members to their rights, so that they don’t sign to anything that would be less of their rights or benefits.
BEWARE !As UNIONS we should be prepare to defend our members and take these matters to court to seek justice against the violation of the social and economic justice for the workers.It is a shame that to date a number of issues were reported in Parliament on questions asked by members;The Minister of Labour in his answers eluded to meeting to be held with the tri-partite committee and with Unions representing the workers. My question would be When ? or wether the answer would be NEVER ! I guess we as Unions already know what to expect with a budget that doesn’t reflect the rights of the workers and the people of Sint Maarten to social development eradication of poverty and equality for all. One thing is sure now that the pill is much harder to swallow when our leaders agree for a measly 5% salary when considering their much talked about measures in whatever form or fashion.
The COVID-19 must no be used by members employers organizations and government to net out their hidden agendas and measures.The COVID-19 will not prevent us as Unions in defence of our members from saying NO !The COVID-19 will not prevent us as Unions from standing in SOLIDARITY with the workers !And the COVID-19 definitely will not prevent us from seeking SOCIAL JUSTICE for the workers !
So as we reflect deeply on this Labor Day 2020 I would like to continue encouraging the Sint Maarten workers to be STRONGand as I deliver this message as President of the WICLU, be SAFE because Solidarity is forever !
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