The Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour is taking a sensible approach to the use of foreigners to help reconstruct St. Maarten (see Thursday paper). Allowing one-time employment permits for related projects under the current circumstances could be key to getting the economy back on its feet sooner rather than later.
Particularly the rebuilding of large resorts and the airport so they’re able to reopen as quickly as possible must not suffer delay due to a lack of manpower. Promptly restoring the dominant stayover tourism industry is the only conceivable way structural earnings of the destination and consequently its entire population may return to previous levels.
The reality is also that many outsiders are already working at various building sites, often without the necessary papers, insurance coverage, etc., so regulating their status seems advisable. Persons wanting to get their hurricane-damaged homes and/or businesses repaired simply cannot afford to wait because there are insufficient qualified candidates on the island.
The ministry’s own registration drive showed that despite programmes of the White and Yellow Cross and NIPA offering training and paid employment, as well as recruitment days held by various entities, there indeed appears to be a shortage of skilled labourers in the construction field. That is not only completely understandable, but logical following such widespread devastation, and opting to waive the normal five-week hold for positions directly required may in fact prove essential for a fast recovery.
Of course, every effort should still be made to hire and – where applicable – train jobless locals for whatever vacancies exist, but if enough simply aren’t available there is little choice but to temporarily bring in others from abroad. While some of these people will no doubt overstay their welcome regardless of attempts to prevent them from doing so, that is part of a calculated risk the country will now have to take.
