News that foreign labour probably must be imported to complete the St. Maarten General Hospital (see Tuesday newspaper) may have surprised some, but the need was already becoming obvious for a while. More than 300 workers are reportedly required at the peak of this project and that number is likely not available locally, despite FINSO participating in job fairs and providing trainings.
While the St. Maarten Medical Centre (SMMC) has meanwhile been upgraded as best possible, opening the adjacent new hospital is becoming increasingly urgent. Any further delay due to lack of human resources seems highly undesirable at this stage.
Mention was made of rebuilding Sonesta Maho Beach Resort after Hurricane Irma, when temporary employees were flown in as a group, centrally accommodated and ultimately repatriated under controlled circumstances. Doing so again in a similar, organised manner is certainly one option.
However, it could also be argued that a structural shortage of qualified personnel actually exists especially in the construction sector. Many of these vacancies are now filled by illegal migrants for whom often no taxes and/or social premiums are paid.
That ends up being a burden to society, including schools having to enrol undocumented pupils in compliance with the compulsory education law. SMMC too faces unpaid bills for treating such people because refusing to do so would simply be inhuman.
Allowing those among newly recruited expatriates who find gainful employment to stay might be worth considering. At least if their status is regulated, they will contribute to the national treasury, social funds, pensions, etcetera.
It’s just food for thought.
