The request for a Central Committee meeting to discuss the latest developments at TelEm Group by the United Resilient St. Maarten Movement (URSM), Democratic Party (DP) and Party for Progress (PFP) factions (see last Friday/Saturday edition) led to some debate regarding its closed-door nature. This is often done to obtain, yet keep confidential, potentially sensitive but essential information possibly from the shareholder’s representative, supervisory board and/or management, although no mention was made of such. It could be a useful tool that safeguards interests of the telecommunications provider and protects the rights of personnel as well as others involved, while still getting to the bottom of the matter.
At the same time, when an important government-owned company announces a 58% reduction of its workforce as happened near the end of January, people take note. The prospect of 52 staffers losing their job effective April 1 and its socioeconomic impact on a relatively small community is rightfully reason for widespread concern.
St. Maarten Communication Union (SMCU) had called for a slower approach to the voluntary lay-offs with social plan as part of a restructuring effort and doesn’t want the process rushed as they claim is now taking place. Intervention by the labour mediator has therefore been requested.
The union also had a meeting with Parliament where, according to DP-faction leader Grisha Heyliger-Marten, only members of the incoming URSM/DP/PFP/NOW coalition showed up. She said warning signs of the current “financial ruin” like the Foundation Government Accountants SOAB report and dismissal of then-chairman John Richardson were ignored by the outgoing Jacobs II Cabinet.
Be that as it may, technological developments including the advent of Voice over Internet Protocol, WhatsApp, etcetera have hit more traditional telephone services hard all over the world. Adjusting to this new reality continues to be a global struggle among them.
It was interesting to read in Thursday’s newspaper that, according to the Bureau of Statistics, average prices for the “Communication” sector rose by 8.67% over the fourth quarter of 2023. The latter is quite an increase, but apparently not enough to solve TelEm’s problems.
CLARIFICATION
It was mentioned in this column on Monday that Curaçao Member of Parliament Eduard Braam could not become Justice Minister due to his earlier conviction for inappropriate relations with a patient as medical doctor. However, because there had been no sentence he since went to court and won, so that a ministership is again possible for him. The author apologises for this omission.
